By Sam Draut–

Twelfth-ranked Kentucky made a eleven three-pointers and held off a feverish comeback to defeat sixteenth-ranked Louisville 75-73 on Saturday at Rupp Arena.

With 12.7 seconds left and trailing by two points, coach Rick Pitino called a timeout to put together a play that would complete the 16-point second half comeback.

Damion Lee received the ball on the wing and had a set of screens, but Kentucky forward Alex Poythress closed out quickly, forcing Lee to take a contested three-pointer in the corner.

“I walked over to coach and said ‘I want the ball, I want the last shot,'” Lee said. “I wanted to go for the kill, knowing we were down two.”

Lee’s game-winning shot attempt fell short and time expired. The fifth-year graduate transfer scored a game-high 27 points and played all 40 minutes.

The missed shot ended the Cardinals (11-2) hopes of a strong second half comeback. Kentucky (11-2) jumped out to a 16 point lead in the second half after ending the first half on a 14-2 run and leading 44-36 at halftime.

Louisville climbed back into the game with the added presence of Chinanu Onuaku, who only played six minutes in the first half because of foul trouble and the play of Lee and fellow graduate-transfer Trey Lewis.

Onuaku had nine points and ten rebounds while Lewis scored 15 points on six of ten shooting from the field.

Louisville closed the deficit to one point wit 5:34 left, but Kentucky guard Tyler Ulis hit a three-pointer on the following possession to extend the lead back to four. Ulis finished with 21 points and eight assists.

After Lee scored on a layup to cut the deficit to two points with 3:14 left, Kentucky reserve guard Dominique Hawkins hit a three-pointer late in the shot clock to add to the lead. Playing in place of injured guard Isaiah Briscoe, Hawkins hit three of four three-point attempts and scored 13 points.

As time expired, sealing Kentucky’s fourth consecutive victory in the rivalry, freshman Donovan Mitchell consoled Lee.

“I told him ‘that one shot won’t define you,'” Mitchell said. “That one shot won’t define the rest of the season.”

Mitchell provided a spark during the second half comeback. The guard had eight points, five rebounds and three assists.

With non-conference play complete, Louisville will head into its ACC schedule on Jan. 3 against Wake Forest.