final score

Brooklyn Miles and Saniah Tyler led the team with 14 points each, followed closely by Amiya Jenkins with 13. Eniya Russell and Maddie Scherr also contributed with 11 points apiece.

This was Louisville’s first appearance in the Holiday Bowl and their first matchup against Southern California. Unfortunately, they were unable to secure the victory. The team’s neutral site game record now stands at 17-17-1.

Kentucky started the game off strong, taking an early 5-2 lead with all five points coming from Tyler. However, Cincinnati quickly bounced back to take an 8-5 lead. The Wildcats managed to score four consecutive points and take a 9-8 lead, but the Bearcats closed out the period with an impressive 8-0 run, giving them a 16-9 lead after the first 10 minutes.

Despite the loss, Louisville had a strong performance, outgaining Kentucky with 403 yards of total offense while only allowing 289 yards. The defense held Kentucky to just 83 rushing yards, marking the eighth time this season that they have kept an opponent under 100 rushing yards.

Kentucky had a strong start to the second half, with a nine-play, 92-yard scoring drive that ended in Ray Davis’ 31-yard rush. This impressive drive gave Kentucky a 14-10 lead in the third quarter. The Wildcats’ defense also stepped up, forcing punts on eight of South Carolina’s final nine possessions.

Head coach Kenny Payne expressed his satisfaction with the team’s defensive performance, stating, “That is a good sign of what we are capable of being defensively.” Despite the 20-point victory, Payne believes there is still room for improvement, emphasizing the team’s need to focus on their confidence, work ethic, and energy. He acknowledged the team’s potential to defeat formidable opponents but stressed the importance of each player understanding their responsibilities and obligations for the team’s success.

The Wildcats, led by head coach Kyra Elzy, have a 51-41 overall record under her leadership. Despite the loss, Kentucky still holds a 6-1 advantage in all-time matchups against the Governors, including a 4-1 record in home games. The Wildcats will now embark on a four-game away stretch, beginning with a game against NR/RV Florida Gulf Coast on November 19.