ncaa

The Cardinals make a leap after securing their fifth straight win over the weekend.

The Cardinals never trailed but weren’t in control and needed every one of Hepburn’s free throws.

The Cardinals have won four games in a row and 14 of their last 15.

The Cardinals shot 61% in the first half and 67% in the second for 64% overall. They made 35 of 55 shots, 11 of 19 3-pointers and 10 of 11 free throws.

Reyne Smith scored 26 points and J’Vonne Hadley scored 12 for the Cardinals (18-6, 11-2 ACC) who finished shooting 49.3% (33 for 67).

It was the second win over a ranked team in eight matchups for the Cardinals and they have three more ahead in the final three weeks of the season.

Eighteen of Louisville’s first 22 points in the second half were scored in the paint as the Cardinals extended their 10-point halftime lead to 63-48.

Louisville (16-6, 9-2 ACC) suffered its first loss since a 93-85 setback at Kentucky on Dec. 14.

Reyne Smith added 16 points, and Chucky Hepburn finished with 14 points and eight assists as Louisville extended its winning streak to 10 games.

With first-year coach Pat Kelsey and a roster filled with transfers and one freshman, Louisville this week broke into the AP Top 25 for first time since January 2021

Louisville ended the first half on a 12-0 run for a 43-27 halftime advantage and led by double digits the rest of the way.

The Cardinals led by six at halftime and built that up to 51-40 on a 3-pointer by Khani Rooths 4 1/2 minutes into the second half.

Smith made 8 of 12 shots overall and 6 of 9 3-pointers to go with 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.

Smith made 8 of 12 shots overall and 6 of 9 3-pointers to go with 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.

Louisville got two free throws by Reyne Smith with 6.2 seconds left for a three-point lead.