October 24, 2025
In a game that felt more like March than late October, the Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team fell to the Kansas Jayhawks, 90–82, Friday night at the KFC Yum! Center in an exhibition matchup that offered plenty of early-season intrigue.
Freshman phenom Darryn Peterson stole the show for Kansas, scoring 26 points, including 24 in the first half, to lead the Jayhawks to victory. His sharp shooting — six made three-pointers — helped Kansas build a double-digit cushion early and silence a packed Louisville crowd eager to see new head coach Pat Kelsey’s squad in action.
Kansas sprinted out to a 9–0 lead and controlled the pace throughout the first half, shooting 55 percent from the field and taking a 46–30 advantage into halftime. Louisville fought back in the second half, cutting the margin to single digits behind the relentless play of Ryan Conwell, who matched Peterson with 26 points of his own. Conwell’s aggressive drives and ability to get to the free-throw line sparked the Cardinals, but the deficit proved too steep to overcome.
The Cardinals showed flashes of promise — especially in their defensive energy and second-half rebounding — but were hampered by inconsistent perimeter shooting. Louisville shot just 2-of-16 from beyond the arc in the first half and finished 6-of-27 (22%) for the game.
Kansas, meanwhile, showcased why it’s again projected as a national title contender. Alongside Peterson, veterans Hunter Dickinson and Elmarko Jackson combined for 27 points and controlled the interior battle, out-rebounding Louisville 41–33.
Despite the loss, Coach Kelsey emphasized the value of facing elite competition early.
“You don’t get better playing easy games,” Kelsey said postgame. “Kansas exposed some things we need to fix — but I loved our fight, especially in the second half.”
The exhibition doesn’t count toward either team’s official record, but it served as a meaningful test ahead of the regular season. Louisville opens its campaign next week at home against Bucknell on Oct. 28. Game time is 7pm ET.
Photos by Roscelle Griffin
Roscelle Griffin, a talented photographer from Johnson City, Tennessee, excelled as a women’s basketball player at the University of Louisville. Her passion for photography, ignited by her grandmother’s gift of a Polaroid camera, now drives her to capture moments that transport viewers into a world of boldness and excitement. Roscelle’s media company, 502 Media Now, specializes in sports videography and photography, showcasing the dynamic world of sports while also excelling in real estate, headshots, weddings, and events.
