LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With just 1.2 seconds remaining in a tightly contested game, Noah Waterman delivered a crucial layup, securing a 78-76 win for Louisville against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon.
The Cardinals initially surged to a 10-point advantage, fueled by a powerful 12-0 scoring spree midway through the second half. However, the Colonels surged back, regaining control with a 3-pointer from George Kimble III that put them up 76-75 with just 1:22 left on the clock. Following a missed jumper by Devontae Blanton that could have extended Eastern Kentucky’s lead, Louisville’s J’Vonne Hadley seized the rebound with eight seconds to go. Waterman then made a decisive drive along the baseline, managing to slip through a crowded paint area and score the game-winning basket.
The contest showcased the resilience of Eastern Kentucky (6-7), as they consistently responded to Louisville’s advances. The Cardinals (8-5) initially launched a significant 15-4 run in the first half, establishing a 42-27 lead with 3:41 left before halftime. Despite facing a daunting deficit, the Colonels fought back, narrowing the gap to 46-37 by the break. As the game neared its conclusion, Jordan Crawford’s jumper shifted the momentum momentarily, granting Eastern Kentucky a 61-59 lead. Nevertheless, Waterman’s timely 3-pointer sparked another 12-0 run from Louisville, propelling them to a 71-61 advantage with over six minutes still on the clock.
Terrence Edwards Jr. led the Cardinal offense, contributing 20 points, while Hadley achieved a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, also adding three steals. Chucky Hepburn provided support with 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, and both Waterman and Reyne Smith chipped in with 12 points apiece. Despite a rocky start in the second half, where they missed their first seven attempts from beyond the arc, Louisville finished the game with 11 successful 3-pointers out of 36 attempts.
For Eastern Kentucky, Kimble was the standout performer with a remarkable 24 points, while Blanton added a strong 22 points to the effort. Jackson Holt also contributed effectively with 15 points.
