The sixth-ranked Louisville Cardinals, behind Ryan Conwell, got going in the second half and defeated Cincinnati on Friday.

Louisville's own defensive efforts also improved after the first 10 minutes, with Cincinnati ending the half on a 5-of-16 shooting stretch after opening 7-of-16. But the Cardinals also ended the half connecting on just two of their final nine, giving the Bearcats a 32-28 lead at halftime.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. inside Heritage Bank Center. This is the first installment of a two-year neutral site series, The Hoops Classic in partnership with CareSource. The programs will meet at Freedom Hall during the 2026-27 season.

Fru 4-6 3-5 11, Brown 4-15 12-14 22, Conwell 8-15 4-4 25, Hadley 1-5 0-0 2, McKneely 0-4 3-3 3, Wooley 2-3 2-2 6, Khalifa 0-4 0-0 0, Rooths 1-2 0-0 2, Rodgers 1-1 0-0 3, Pryor 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-56 24-28 74.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - While the Louisville men's basketball program no longer plays Cincinnati on an annual basis, it's time for the 101st all-time meeting between the Cardinals and Bearcats, with the former longtime conference rivals set to square off in a neutral court meeting.

The sixth-ranked University of Louisville men's basketball team renews an old rivalry on Friday. The Cards will take on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats on the road at the Heritage Bank Center. For head coach Pat Kelsey, it's a chance to coach in his hometown.

Ryan Conwell scored 17 of his season-high 25 points in the second half to help No. 6 Louisville deny an upset bid from Cincinnati, 74-64, Friday night in Cincinnati.

After going to Wyoming and starting 22 games for former Miami University coach Joby Wright, Kelsey returned home to Xavier. In his junior season, he witnessed history Nov. 26, 1996, when Lenny Brown hit a jumper at UC that knocked off the No. 1 Bearcats 71-69.

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Cincinnati is hoping to have a full bench ready to run with one of the fastest-paced teams in the nation. Forward Tyler McKinley factors into that after he played just three minutes on Sunday against Mount St. Mary's due to an undisclosed injury. Having him on the floor would be great to keep pace with Louisville.