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University of Louisville
USF
Louisville Takes Down South Florida, 83-63
February 10, 2007 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2007
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -Louisville freshman center Derrick Caracter scored a career-high 16 points to go with 10 rebounds as the Cardinals rolled to an 83-63 win over South Florida on Saturday.
Brandon Jenkins scored 15 points and Jerry Smith added 13 as the Cardinals (17-8, 7-4 Big East) kept their flickering hopes for an NCAA Tournament berth alive by sweeping the season series from the Bulls.
Caracter, who had played in just eight games this season due to a variety of off-the-court problems before Saturday, finally showcased some of the potential Louisville coach Rick Pitino has been talking about since Caracter arrived on campus last summer.
The Cardinals have struggled shooting the ball all season - they rank in the bottom half of the conference in nearly every offensive category - but regained their touch against the Bulls.
Louisville shot 51 percent from the field, including 68 percent from the floor in the first half while building a 30-point halftime lead.
Melvin Buckley led South Florida (12-13, 3-8) with 16 points and Chris Howard added 11 points, but the Bulls struggled to stay out of foul trouble and had no answer defensively for the Cardinals.
Louisville center David Padgett sprained his left foot midway through the first half and did not return. It's uncertain whether Padgett will be available when the Cardinals play at No. 7 Pittsburgh on Monday.
