CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — The Virginia Cavaliers fell to the Louisville Cardinals 70-50 on Saturday evening at John Paul Jones Arena, marking the Cardinals' first win over the Cavaliers since 2014. The game was pivotal for Louisville, who ended a nine-game losing streak against Virginia and showcased their potential under new coach Pat Kelsey.
The Cavaliers (8-6, 1-2 ACC) faced off against the Cardinals (9-5, 2-1 ACC) with hopes of extending their winning streak. Virginia had recently defeated NC State and was eager to capitalize on their home court advantage. Unfortunately for them, Louisville came out strong, determined to change their fortunes within the ACC.
Things started close, with both teams showing jitters typical of high-stakes matchups. After the first media timeout, the score stood at 6-6, with both sides feeling each other out. The pace of the game was slow, anticipated to be on target for just 57 possessions overall. Despite some early miscues—Virginia missing 7-of-9 three-point attempts—the half ended with Louisville taking the lead at 32-27.
By halftime, the game had not gone as some had expected. Louisville struggled with their shooting yet managed to stay afloat thanks to solid rebounding. With Virginia clinging to hope, Andrew Rohde and Isaac McKneely kept the Cavaliers competitive, scoring eight points each by halftime.
Coming back from the locker room, the Cavaliers made their best attempt to rally. After Jacob Cofie’s layup brought Virginia within two points at 36-34, the atmosphere was electric. The home fans believed they might witness another thrilling come-from-behind victory. But Louisville quickly snuffed out this hope, with Reyne Smith hitting back-to-back shots, including a three-pointer, helping to extend their lead.
Louisville, once again, found their rhythm and built their advantage, leading by as much as 20 points late in the game. Reyne Smith and Aboubacar Traore were standout performers, each contributing 15 points. Their collective victory helped Louisville snap not only their unfortunate streak against Virginia but also provided momentum as they geared up for the next phase of their season.
Virginia’s struggles were evident. The team, typically known for their defensive prowess, faltered significantly, allowing Louisville to dominate both offensively and defensively during the second half, where they were outscored 34-16 after getting back within two points. Coach Ron Sanchez pointed to missed defensive assignments and slower rotations leaving their shooters too much space—especially highlighted by Smith’s ability to score from beyond the arc.
For the Cavaliers, Andrew Rohde led the scoring with 16 points, but it wasn't enough to make up for the overall defensive lapses. Despite having three players score double digits, Virginia’s inability to convert more than six shots from the rim late suppressed any chance of maintaining momentum within the game.
Coach Sanchez admitted post-game, “We certainly have to find ways to improve moving forward. Today we showed weaknesses defensively and allowed Louisville to take control.” This loss highlighted areas where Virginia will need to sharpen their focus going forward, particularly as they prepare for upcoming ACC matchups.
On the other hand, Coach Pat Kelsey’s optimism was palpable as his squad arrives back to winning composure. He stated, “We came here with the right attitude and execution, which made all the difference. Now, we have to build on this success.” Kelsey, who previously faced the Cavaliers as head coach for the College of Charleston, was focused on continuing to string together wins as they head through the remaining schedule.
Looking at the statistics, both teams’ shooting percentages reflected their night. Louisville made 15-of-29 attempts at the rim, compared to Virginia’s 6-of-16. The Cavaliers also struggled from the three-point range, making just 5-of-26, indicative of their struggle to dictate the game’s tempo as they had allowed Louisville to keep control throughout.
This significant win for Louisville puts them on solid ground within the conference and breaks the psychological barrier of past defeats against Virginia. With the momentum, the Cardinals are optimistic about their next challenges and have eyes set on upcoming matchups.
The Cavaliers have some soul-searching to do as they need to leverage their home court advantage similarly to their previous successes, particularly against conference rivals. Fans hope for quick adjustments from Sanchez and the coaching staff as they aim to get back on track.
The ACC conference play will continue, and both teams will have plenty to prove as the season progresses.