No. 4 Louisville Vs. No. 3 Kentucky: Wildcats Hold Off Cards, 69-62

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist posted career highs of 24 points and 19 rebounds, leading third-ranked Kentucky to a 69-62 victory over No. 4 Louisville at Rupp Arena.

Anthony Davis contributed 18 points, all in the second half, to go along with 10 rebounds and six blocked shots for Kentucky (13-1), which has won five straight since its lone loss of the season at Indiana on December 10. The Wildcats also extended the nation's longest home winning streak to 44 games.

Doron Lamb, Kentucky's leading scorer at nearly 16 points per game, battled foul trouble and chipped in 10 points on just 1-of-7 from the field. He made 8-of-9 free throws as part of the Wildcats' 32-of-43 effort from the line.

Louisville was whistled early and often, leading to Kentucky's parade to the stripe. Peyton Siva, Gorgui Dieng and Kyle Kuric were all saddled with early foul problems, as was Chane Behanan, who eventually fouled out.

Russ Smith picked up the slack off the bench and poured in 30 points for the Cardinals (12-2), who were coming off their first loss of the season on Wednesday against Georgetown.

For more on the Louisville Cardinals visit SB Nation's Louisville blog Card Chronicle. For more on the Kentucky Wildcats, visit SB Nation's Kentucky blog A Sea Of Blue.

The Louisville Cardinals are not going away but the Kentucky Wildcats continue to do just enough to maintain a small lead in their big Saturday showdown. Kentucky leads 49-42 at the 10:00 mark.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist continues to pace the Wildcats with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He's getting a lot of work at the free-throw line, where he's made 7-of-13. He's shooting 6-of-14 from the field.

Doron Lamb has nine points for the Cats and Anthony Davis has eight but no one else has more than six. The Wildcats are shooting 21% as a team, making it all the more impressive that they're in the lead right now.

Russ Smith continues to spark the Cardinals attack with 19 points. Chris Smith has seven and Peyton Siva has added six. Like Kentucky, no one else can seem to get anything going for Louisville and the team is shooting 25% from the field and 14% (2-of-14) from three-point land.

For more on the Louisville Cardinals visit SB Nation's Louisville blog Card Chronicle. For more on the Kentucky Wildcats, visit SB Nation's Kentucky blog A Sea Of Blue.

For most of the first half between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals, John Calipari's squad could do no wrong and Rick Pitino's team could do no right. Despite being down 31-16 at one point, the Cardinals mounted a furious rally and trail by a mere three points, 36-33, at the half.

It was the Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Show for much of the first half. The Kentucky star had 16 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Wildcats. Doron Lamb added 9 points while Darius Miller (5 pts) is the only other Kentucky player with more than 2 points. Kentucky will need to find a little more balance in the second half in order to stay ahead.

Meanwhile, Kyle Kuric has been a non-factor for the Cards with 2 points. Russ Smith exploded off the bench for 13 points while Chris Smith added 7. Peyton Siva added five points and three assists.

For a while there it looked like Kentucky was going to run away with this one but the Cardinals aren't going away quietly. The question will be if either team can find a 2nd or 3rd scorer to step up and eventually pull away for the victory.

For more on the Louisville Cardinals visit SB Nation's Louisville blog Card Chronicle. For more on the Kentucky Wildcats, visit SB Nation's Kentucky blog A Sea Of Blue.