Great News: Former Louisville Cardinals Head Coach Kenny Payne Re-Unites With Rivals Kentucky Wildcat Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Golden Grizzlies will keep dancing after an upset victory over the Kentucky Wildcats, 80-76, in the NCAA Tournament’s First Round at PPG Paints Arena.
The Golden Grizzlies (24-11, 15-5 HL) were led by a historic performance from Jack Gohlke, who scored a career-high 32 points on 10-of-20 (.500) three-point shooting, tying Carsen Edwards (Purdue, 3/30/2019) and Roburt Sallie (Memphis, 3/19/2009). Trey Townsend also had 17 points (6 of 15) and 12 rebounds. DQ Cole scored 12 points, including three three-pointers, and added eight rebounds and four assists. As Coach Cal’s assistant…
The University of Kentucky Wildcats (23-10, 13-5 SEC) also had three players in double digits, with Antonio Reeves leading the way with 27 points (11-of-18). Justin Edwards produced 10 points (4-of-9) while Tre Mitchell put in 14 points (4-of-8) and 13 rebounds.
The Wildcats scored the first basket of the game on their first possession, as both teams struggled at the rim to follow. Cole scored for the Golden Grizzlies with a deep shot, the first by either team in nearly three minutes. Kentucky responded with two of its own, but Rocket Watts pulled up for two after the Golden Grizzlies grabbed three offensive rebounds in a row.
The Wildcats cut the deficit to two points, 7-5, but Gohlke made his first field goal to put the Golden Grizzlies ahead by one. The Wildcats sank a quick two to lead by one, but Gohlke hit his second straight from downtown to put the Golden Grizzlies up, 11-9. Kentucky increased its advantage to two after two consecutive baskets, but it was Gohlke’s turn once more, as he hit the next two shots of the game to lead 19-13 at the halftime break.
