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University of Louisville
NORTHWESTERN STATE
Cardinals Victorious In Season Opener
November 18, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2006
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Freshman Jerry Smith scored 24 points as Louisville overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to beat Northwestern State 100-87 in the Cardinals' season opener on Saturday.
Smith hit three 3-pointers and sank all nine of his free throws. Terrence Williams and Andre McGee each scored 16 points for the Cardinals (1-0).
The Demons (1-2) looked like they would give the Cardinals their first loss in a home opener since 2000, a loss to Georgetown. Northwestern State went on an 8-0 run in the closing minutes of the first half to take a 50-39 halftime lead.
Colby Bargeman scored 19 of Northwestern's first half points, and finished with 25, a career-high.
Louisville chipped away at Northwestern's lead in the second half, spurred by a seven-point run to make the score 58-56. They took the lead for good at 73-72 after an Edgar Sosa 3-pointer. It was the first time the Cardinals had led since 8:33 in the first half.
The Cardinals started slowly, trading leads with the Demons, before taking a 12-10 lead with about 14 minutes to play in the first half.
Northwestern took the lead back after a 3-pointer by Bargeman with 8:33 to play in the first half.
Center David Padgett led Louisville with seven rebounds. Padgett and senior guard Brandon Jenkins are still playing at less than 100 percent, Louisville coach Rick Pitino said. Both are recovering from leg injuries.
Northwestern's Trey Gilder and Luke Rogers had 18 points each, and Gilder grabbed eight rebounds.
The Cardinals were without 6-foot-9 freshman Derrick Caracter, who is serving a three game suspension by the NCAA.
