Louisville has easy time with College of Charleston
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.