Mayfield downed at State

Mayfield lost its first football game in 29 contests Friday when it lost 24-6 to Hazard in the Class A state championship at Western Kentucky University’s Smith Stadium. The top-ranked Cardinals struggled running the ball against the Bulldogs’ stingy defense, rushing for just 26 yards.

Block lifts UK over UNC

Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis recorded the biggest play of his young career as a Wildcat when he blocked the potential game-winning shot from North Carolina’s John Henson to preserve a 73-72 win over the No. 5 Tar Heels. Kentucky, ranked No. 1 in the nation, pushed its home winning streak to 39 games.

Rivalry repeat

LSU and Alabama get to play it again when they compete Jan. 9 for the BCS National championship football game. The teams met once this season on Nov. 5 with the still undefeated Tigers getting a 9-6 win over the Crimson Tide in overtime. Both schools are in the SEC, meaning whoever wins will ensure the SEC of winning the last six straight national titles. Oklahoma State, which finished the season 11-1, had a shot at the title game, but the BCS voting pushed the Tide past the Cowboys. The Cowboys, champions of the Big 12, will instead play in the Fiesta Bowl against Pac-12 champion Stanford.

Louisville also received a bowl bid this season, playing North Carolina State in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 27.

Murray State off to hot start

The Murray State Racers topped Dayton 75-58 Sunday at the CFSB Center and beat Western Kentucky University on the road on Thursday to start the season 9-0. Under new coach Steve Prohm, the perfect start ties the record for best start by a first-year coach at MSU set by Tevester Anderson. The Racers next play at nationally-ranked Memphis on Sunday after taking the week off from games to study for finals.