LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Asia Durr scored 32 points and made the first of several critical free throws down the stretch that helped No. 5 Louisville hold off No. 19 Kentucky 80-75 on Sunday.
The Cardinals (10-0) appeared to have the game in control with an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter and a 67-52 lead entering the fourth. But Kentucky rallied to within four twice in the final 30 seconds as Louisville missed a series of free throws in the final minutes that would have sealed the game.
Durr's foul shot with 25 seconds left gave Louisville a 78-73 cushion and Sam Fuehring made one of two from the line 11 seconds later to make it 79-73. Maci Morris' jumper brought Kentucky (9-1) within four before Arica Carter finally sealed it, making the second of two free throws with five seconds left.
Durr did much of her damage with 19 first-half points and finished a point off her season high. She made 13 of 25 to help lead Louisville's 56 shooting, which came in handy as it made just 15 of 28 from the free-throw line.
Fuehring and Jazmine Jones each added 12 points, Bionca Dunham had 11 and Dana Evans 10 for Louisville.
Rhyne Howard had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Kentucky, which was seeking a signature win over it rival after beating UCLA and North Carolina last month. Taylor Murray added 18 points, with a big second half that helped the Wildcats rally.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Louisville reinforced its top-five standing with another quality win, albeit close. Kentucky figures to drop a few spots in the rankings.
BIG PICTURE
Kentucky: The Wildcats stayed within single digits throughout the first half but started to lose ground behind 4-of-15 shooting (27 percent) in the second quarter. Howard seemed poised to do it all herself until Murray got hot to lead a second-half rally that almost succeeded.
Louisville: The Cardinals shot well throughout but appeared to tire in the fourth quarter. That showed at the line as they muffed chances but held on because of the big cushion built by Durr.
UP NEXT
Kentucky hosts Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
Louisville hosts Northern Kentucky on Saturday.
