In a nail-biting encounter at Madison Square Garden, the Louisville men’s basketball team faced a heartbreaker as Max Abmas’ fadeaway jumper at the buzzer secured a dramatic 81-80 victory for No. 19/17 Texas in the first round of the 2023 Empire Classic.
The game’s final minute saw Louisville holding a slender lead, with sophomore guard Skyy Clark’s clutch 3-pointer at 1:20 putting the Cardinals ahead 80-78. However, the Longhorns responded with a free throw and benefited from a shot clock violation, granting them possession with 7.9 seconds left. In a game-defining moment, Max Abmas delivered a buzzer-beater that sealed Texas’ narrow victory.
Louisville’s head coach, Kenny Payne, acknowledged the team’s defensive efforts but emphasized the need to address rebounding issues. Payne expressed confidence in the team’s potential, stating, “It was the first semblance we’ve had all year of the way we look in practice, and that’s the team I want to show up every night.”
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Louisville showcased a balanced offensive effort, with five players scoring in double figures. Skyy Clark and Tre White led the charge with 20 points each, while Ty-Laur Johnson, a Brooklyn native, contributed 14 points and six assists in an impactful performance off the bench.
Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and senior forward JJ Traynor added 11 points each, combining for 15 rebounds. The Cardinals displayed resilience after trailing early, cutting a 16-7 deficit with a 7-0 run.
The first half witnessed a back-and-forth battle, with Louisville reclaiming the lead multiple times. Texas held a narrow 41-38 advantage at halftime, setting the stage for a second half marked by 21 lead changes and 14 ties.
Clark’s late 3-pointers provided crucial momentum for Louisville, demonstrating the team’s competitive spirit against a formidable opponent. Despite the loss, Clark expressed the team’s ability to compete, stating, “I think we showed a lot of people that we can compete with them.”
Texas, led by Kadin Shedrick’s impressive 27-point performance, faced a formidable challenge from Louisville’s defense, limiting them to just 2-for-17 from beyond the arc. However, the Longhorns capitalized on points in the paint and offensive rebounds to secure the victory.
Louisville will look to bounce back in the Empire Classic, facing regional rival Indiana on Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET in the consolation game, broadcast on ESPNU. The Cardinals aim to build on their competitive showing and learn from the minor mistakes that contributed to the narrow defeat against Texas.