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The Louisville basketball season has come to an end. The Cardinals were bested in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Creighton.
Despite playing in front of a home crowd in Kentucky, Pat Kelsey’s bunch never stood a chance. After going down by double digits in the first half, they dug a hole too large to climb out of. Frustrations boiled over late in the second half of action.
Louisville led 17-16 midway through the first half. It was all Creighton from that point on. The Bluejays used a 24-8 run to build a 15-poin lead. They’d extend that advantage to as much as 20 points before halftime.
The Cardinals never got back within single digits. Creighton had an answer for every Louisville run.
Pat Kelsey attempted to fire his team up late. The coach landed a technical foul by exploding on an official following a questionable foul call.
Pat Kelsey gets a tech and a Louisville fan throws a water bottle at the Creighton bench pic.twitter.com/HiAO4UPVuA
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 20, 2025
The reaction did little to create a spark. Instead, the Cardinals’ deficit only grew. It did land a response from a fan in the stands, though.
A full drink was thrown onto the floor causing a stoppage in game play. As referees sorted out how to assess Kelsey’s technical foul, staff members did their best to clean the court.
A fan here has THROWN A DRINK onto the floor at Louisville-Creighton. pic.twitter.com/5HLtgIVFO4
— Isaac Bourne (@IsaacBourne_) March 20, 2025
The stoppage wouldn’t change the Cardinals’ fate. They fell 89-75 in Lexington. Creighton will now advance to play the winner of Auburn and Alabama State. Louisville will make the short trek back to campus.