In an electrifying season opener at the KFC Yum! Center, the Louisville men’s basketball team showcased their resilience and determination as they rallied back from an eight-point halftime deficit to edge out UMBC in a thrilling 94-93 victory. This win holds special significance as it coincides with a tribute to the late legendary head coach Denny Crum, who passed away in May.
The Cardinals impressed with their dominance in the paint, scoring 60 points down low, and saw five players reach double figures in scoring. Head coach Kenny Payne expressed the importance of this win, acknowledging that it was a hard-fought battle by his players. He highlighted the team’s execution and their ability to relentlessly attack the opposition while playing unselfishly.
Standing out among the Cardinals’ stellar performance was redshirt sophomore guard/forward Mike James, who delivered a career-high 25 points, along with 10 rebounds to secure his first career double-double. James also made an impressive 13 of 14 free throws, contributing significantly to the team’s victory.
Louisville controlled the boards, outrebounding UMBC with a 47-35 margin and capitalizing on second-chance points with a convincing 28-10 advantage. The team shot 50% from the field and an impressive 59% in the second half. Additionally, their success at the free-throw line, making 24 of 39 attempts, proved crucial in sealing the one-point victory.
James attributed their success to their relentless effort and driving to the basket, pointing out that UMBC’s smaller defenders provided a favorable matchup. The team continuously attacked the rim and drew fouls, allowing James to convert from the charity stripe.
The game saw a back-and-forth battle with UMBC momentarily taking the lead after a 7-0 run in the first half. However, Louisville responded with a 10-0 run at the start of the second half to regain control.
Despite UMBC building another eight-point lead with 9:22 left to play, the Cardinals showcased their resilience once again, embarking on a 6-0 run to close the gap. As the game reached its crucial moments, Louisville seized the opportunity, putting together an eight-point streak to take a 91-86 lead, highlighted by two free throws from James.
With the game tied at 92-all in the final seconds, sophomore guard Tre White made a decisive move, attacking the basket and grabbing an offensive rebound. He then lobbed the ball to senior forward JJ Traynor, who emphatically slammed it home for a thunderous dunk with just seven seconds left on the clock.
Traynor emphasized the significance of this win for the team’s confidence moving forward, highlighting the resilience they displayed in overcoming missed shots and fighting until the end. Traynor himself contributed 13 points to the victory, while freshman guard Ty-Laur Johnson made an impressive college debut with 12 points. White and sophomore guard Skyy Clark each added 11 points to the winning effort.
Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield made a notable contribution on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds, while sophomore forward/center Emmanuel Okorafor provided a spark off the bench with eight points and six rebounds.
Despite the valiant effort by UMBC, who made 11 of 21 three-pointers, Dion Brown’s 28 points fell short in securing the win.
The Cardinals will remain at home for their next matchup against Chattanooga on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the game on ACC Network Extra.
