Cards Grind Out Win Over Boston College

Mark BlankenbakerJanuary 10, 2026

The No. 20/18 University of Louisville men’s basketball team came out on top at home with a 75-62 victory against fellow ACC team Boston College.

“Gritty: I think is the best word I can describe as to how our guys played tonight,” said head coach Pat Kelsey. “Gritty, it wasn’t the prettiest thing in the world. Obviously with injuries and people out and things like that, guys have to step up, play in different roles than they’re normally playing. Guys had to play extended minutes, more minutes than they normally play. But I just thought our guys were gritty. Early on we got off to a tough start. I thought we were generating some pretty good shots, they just weren’t going in. They were making some shots that usually we’re okay with. I think they made four of their first five middy pull-ups, which, as you guys know, to us isn’t the highest percentage, most valuable shot, they made some of them. I just think our guys fought through. Gritty, play hard, play tough, found a way. I was really, really proud of them.”

UofL (12-4, 2-2 ACC) went with a starting lineup of Isaac McKneely, Adrian Wooley, J’Vonne Hadley, and Sananda Fru, with Kobe Rodgers rounding out the starting five as he made his first career start in a Louisville jersey.

The Cards struggled to find rhythm early in today’s game with the Eagles leading 12-8 at the first media timeout. Despite six turnovers and being down 34-24 late in the first, the Cards went on a 6-0 run, their longest of the first, to cut the deficit to 34-30 heading into the break. In the first half, Louisville shot 11 of 26 from the field, 2 of 11 from three and 6 of 7 on free throws while Wooley led the team in scoring with eight and Fru in rebounds with seven.

Coming out for the second half, the Cardinals started off hot with a 9-0 run, eventually tying the game at 41. With 14 minutes to go in the second, the Cards jumped in front of the Eagles for their first lead of the game after an Aly Khalifa shot from the arc, which brought the score to 45-43.

With 8:15 through the second half, McKneely was fouled by Boston College and went 3 of 3 on his free-throws which resulted in the beginning of an 11-0 run for the Cards. The run brought the score to 64-53 with 5:02 left in the contest. The Cardinals flew from there, holding onto the lead until the end.

Boston College (7-9, 0-3 ACC) had four players in double figures as its top scorer Fred Payne recorded 22 points and five rebounds.

The Cards outscored the Eagles 38-18 in paint points. Louisville had four players in double figures: Fru (19), Wooley (16), McKneely (13) and Hadley (11). The senior guard from Poca, W.Va., scored all 13 of his points during the second half.

Fru had his best game of the season, making eight of his nine shots setting his new collegiate career high in points. He also totaled 13 rebounds, which cemented his second double-double since joining the Cardinals.

Khani Rooths set his season high in rebounds (11). Both Fru and Rooths had double-digit boards, the first time Louisville has seen two double figure rebounders since Jan. 7, 2025.

All nine Louisville players to step out on the court today scored two or more points.

With today’s win, Louisville leads Boston College 12-8 all time and 2-0 with head coach Pat Kelsey. This also marks Kelsey’s 300th career win.

Louisville hopes to continue this momentum heading into its next game on January 13th against Virginia. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game can be found on ESPN2.