It was the fourth straight early-season loss for the University of Louisville men’s basketball team.
The Cardinals imploded in the second half as Arkansas’ No. 9 used a 17-0 run to run away with an 80-54 decision against the Cardinals in the first round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational Tournament. Monday night in Lahina, Maui, Hawaii. .
U of L trailed the entire game, but a 17-0 run from the Razorbacks opened the lead to 27. The Cardinals went 0-4 for the first time since the 1940-41 season.
U of L will now face No. 21 Texas Tech in Game 2 of the Maui Invitational tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Here’s what coach Kenny Payne and players Kamari Lands and JJ Traynor had to say after the game:
OPENING STATEMENT
Kenny Payne: “They kept competing. They kept the pressure on. They kept the energy and brought more. And we got confused. I thought they had outdone us. They wanted more. But that’s what what the big teams are doing. top 10 in the country and they showed it.”
Q: How difficult was this Arkansas defense for both of you? I mean, especially in that second half when they kind of started drifting apart?
Lands of Kamari: “I feel like, like I said, they play great defense all the time. Just like the coach said, they’re great athletes, great team. And they just kept the pressure on us all game. Respect to them for playing the defense they did.”
JJ Traynor: “Yeah, I would agree. Very aggressive team. Kudos to them. They’re a good team.”
