Semifinal showdown in Lexington
The Basketball Tournament’s semifinals took a dramatic turn on Saturday night in Lexington, Kentucky, where the Wildcats’ alumni squad edged out the Jayhawks by a 78-65 margin.
Kentucky’s third‑quarter explosion proved decisive; the Wildcats held Kansas to a mere seven points in that period, a stretch that swung the momentum firmly in their favor.
Archie Goodwin was the catalyst, pouring in 28 points and orchestrating the offense, while Willie Cauley‑Stein added 10 points and six rebounds to keep the lead growing.
For Kansas, the effort was hampered by a 30% shooting night, compared with Kentucky’s 46.4% efficiency, and the team’s top scorers, Frank Mason III and Zeke Mayo, managed only 13 and 12 points respectively.
Finals on the horizon
The victory earns Kentucky a spot in Sunday’s championship game, also to be played in Lexington, where they will meet the winner of the other semifinal. With the final looming, the Wildcats will look to sustain the intensity that carried them past the Jayhawks, while Kansas will aim to regroup and challenge the narrative that has favored Kentucky throughout the tournament.