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University of Louisville
MARQUETTE
Cards Lose 74-65 to No. 24 Marquette
January 15, 2007 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 15, 2007
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Dominic James scored 18 points, including 11 during a decisive second-half run, to lead No. 24 Marquette to a 74-65 victory over Louisville on Monday night.
The Golden Eagles (16-4, 3-2 Big East) returned to the Top 25 earlier in the day, and celebrated by halting Louisville's modest two-game winning streak with their second straight road win and third overall.
Ousmane Barro had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Wesley Matthews added 17 points and Jerel McNeal scored 15 as the Golden Eagles fought through a sluggish first half and pulled away late behind James.
James was 4-of-7 from 3-point range, hitting three during a 13-4 run midway through the second half. He raised his arms after the last one gave Marquette a 60-46 lead.
David Padgett had 18 points and nine rebounds for Louisville (12-6, 2-2), which shot 42 percent from the field in losing its 12th straight game against a ranked opponent.
"We had been doing a fabulous job, even when we weren't shooting the ball well, we were passing the ball," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said. "Tonight we didn't pass the ball, even on breaks we didn't pass it enough."
"We weren't as sharp mentally," Padgett said. "We've got to make sure we learn from this."
Marquette won at Connecticut last Wednesday and beat West Virginia at home on Saturday. Both those teams were ranked when the Golden Eagles beat them.
Louisville had used a smaller lineup to win consecutive Big East games for the first time since joining the conference last season, but the Golden Eagles adjusted after a slow start and raced by the Cardinals in the second half.
"They hit big shots or free throws to stay with the lead and that knocked down our momentum," Louisville guard Edgar Sosa said.
Marquette trailed 28-22 with about 5 minutes left in the first half, but put together a 25-4 run over the next 9 minutes, eventually building a 47-32 lead.
Louisville reeled off 10 straight points to get back within five, but then James went to work. All three of his 3-pointers were from well beyond the line and he later added a running layup that helped the Golden Eagles hold off one final Louisville surge.
The Cardinals finished 4-of-18 on 3-pointers and couldn't find much offense beside Padgett. Jerry Smith scored 11 points and Terrence Williams added 10 for Louisville, but the Cardinals couldn't take advantage of a handful of late Marquette turnovers.
"We played as hard as we could play, but they kept making one big shot after another," Pitino said. "They made shots with the clock winding down, tough shots and that's a credit to what they are doing."
