Charleston, SC – Wayne Blackshear led four players in double figures with 18 points, as fifth-ranked Louisville routed College of Charleston, 80-38, in a non-conference battle.
Russ Smith totaled 13 points, four assists and four steals for the Cardinals (7-1), who shook off a close victory against Illinois State and recorded their fifth double-digit victory of the season.
"It's the best we've looked this year on defense," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said. "We worked on it all week."
Adjehi Baru notched 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds but committed six turnovers for the Cougars (5-3), whose four-game win streak came to an end.
"Their length and strength is pretty impressive," Cougars coach Doug Wojcik said of the Cardinals. "It was a tough night for us. We never put them on their heels."
Louisville was in control throughout, scoring the game's first six points and rolling out to a 12-3 lead roughly 6 1/2 minutes in.
Blackshear's triple pushed the advantage to double digits for the first time at 17-7, and two from the line by Peyton Siva made it 28-9 with 4:42 left in the first half.
It was 36-16 for the visitors at intermission despite an 11-for-29 performance from the field.
The Cardinals weren't pressed at all in the second half, slowly increasing their lead throughout.
A Kevin Ware jumper cracked the 30-point barrier at 65-34 with 6:40 to play, then a Zach Price bucket provided a 41-point bulge at 77-36 with 2 1/2 minutes left.
Game Notes
Louisville has won all three meetings ... Siva finished with 12 points, five steals and three assists ... Charleston's Willis Hall committed a game-high seven of his school's 27 turnovers, and was also held scoreless in 19 minutes of action.
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