Live Blog: Louisville vs. Syracuse
Louisville men's basketball returns to the KFC Yum! Center after two consecutive road losses, hosting Syracuse Feb. 19. The Cardinals (21-5 overall, 12-3 in the ACC) struggled offensively last week in losses to Georgia Tech and Clemson, but Louisville coach Chris Mack said his team continues to practice well despite its second two-game losing streak of the season.
Syracuse (14-11 overall, 7-7 in the ACC) lost to Florida State last Saturday, but has won six of its last 10 games. Elijah Hughes leads the Orange and the ACC in scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game.
Follow along for live updates and analysis.
Louisville starters: Dwayne Sutton, Jordan Nwora, Malik Williams, Ryan McMahon, David Johnson
Syracuse starters: Marek Dolezaj, Elijah Hughes, Bourama Sidibe, Joseph Girard III, Buddy Boeheim
Mack alluded to changing the starting lineup in his press conference prior to the game. Johnson is making his first career start while Williams is making his first start of the season.
Louisville wins the tip off, Sutton makes a 3-pointer from the top of the key after four different players touch the ball on the first possession.
Johnson has a steal, which leads to a transition break. He misses a driving layup attempt.
18:27 first half, Johnson passes to Nwora along the baseline. Nwora is fouled on a dunk attempt. He makes bot free throws, Louisville leads 5-0.
18:12 first half, Dolezaj is fouled on the low block, he makes both free throws.
17:55 first half, McMahon hits a 3-pointer on an assist from Nwora.
Hughes hits a three-pointer from the top of the key, Syracuse trails 8-5.
16:23 first half, Louisville moves the ball around the perimeter and McMahon hits a long three-pointer. Louisville leads 11-5.
16:00 first half, Williams gathered a loose ball under Louisville's basket and calls a timeout. The Cardinals lead 11-5. Syracuse has just three shots because of four turnovers.
14:46 first half, Syracuse turns it over for the fifth time.
14:33 first half, Williams is fouled on a lob from Johnson. He makes one free throw, Louisville leads Syracuse 12-5.
14:01 first half, Sutton answers a three-pointer from Boeheim with a shot from behind the arc. Louisville leads 15-8.
12:52 first half, Mack turns to his bench for the first time. Steven Enoch and Lamarr "Fresh" Kimble check in for Johnson and Williams. Sutton makes a free throw, Louisville leads 18-10.
11:58 first half, Louisville leads Syracuse 20-12. The Cardinals are shooting 40 percent from the field, but Syracuse has six turnovers.
Samuell Williamson checks in for the first time, replacing Sutton.
11:05 first half, Enoch scores in the low post on a hook shot on a pass from McMahon. Louisville leads 22-13.
8:33 first half, Williams is fouled on an entry pass from the high-post from Johnson. Louisville has used several players in the high post as it tries to attack Syracuse's 2-3 zone.
7:50 first half, Louisville leads Syracuse 26-17. The Orange haven't scored in 2:29.
7:12 first half, Johnson receives a pass in the high post from McMahon, making a jumper near the free throw line. Louisville leads 28-19.
6:33 first half, Nwora hits a corner three-pointer on an assist from Johnson following an offensive rebound by Sutton. Louisville leads Syracuse 31-19, its first double-digit advantage of the game.
4:54 first half, Williams gathers an offensive rebound and is fouled following a missed three-pointer by McMahon. Williams makes a free throw, Louisville leads 32-19.
Girard answers with a step-back three-pointer from the top of the key, Syracuse trails by 10 points.
Boeheim hits another shot from behind the arc, Syracuse is within seven points.
3:48 first half, Johnson is fouled on a layup attempt. He will shoot two free throws following the final media timeout of the first half. Louisville leads Syracuse 32-25.
Johnson makes a free throw, he has three assists and no turnovers.
3:31 first half, Darius Perry checks in for the first time. The junior had started the first 26 games for Louisville.
2:14 first half, Kimble turns the ball over, but redeems himself on the next possession by hitting a jumper at the free throw line. Louisville leads Syracuse 35-27.
1:35 first half, McMahon hits a three-pointer, but Boeheim answers at the other end with a shot from behind the arc. Louisville leads Syracuse 38-32.
0:35 first half, McMahon hits another three-pointer, Louisville leads 41-34. McMahon has 12 points, is 4 of 7 on shots from behind the arc.
Halftime: Louisville leads Syracuse 41-34.
The Cardinals shoot 42% from the field in the first half, but Syracuse isn't much better, shooting 44% along with eight turnovers.
McMahon has a team-high 12 points, Sutton and Nwora each have nine points.
19:00 second half, Williams tips in a missed three-pointer by Nwora. Williams has 11 rebounds. Louisville scores on its first possession of the second half, leads 43-34.
18:06 second half, Nwora hesitates and drives baseline for a basket and is fouled. He misses the free throw, Louisville leads 45-34.
16:23 second half, McMahon somehow finds Williams in the low post for a basket. Williams misses the ensuing free throw. Louisville leads 49-40.
15:36 second half, Louisville leads Syracuse 49-40.
14:43 second half, Williams is fouled. He makes both free throws. Louisville leads 51-40.
14:14 second half, Sutton hits a three-pointer at the top of the key. Louisville leads 54-42.
13:48 second half, Nwora makes a free throw following a drive into the lane. Syracuse calls a timeout before Nwora's second free throw, Louisville leads 55-42.
Nwora makes the free throw, Louisville has its largest lead 56-42.
12:34 second half, Nwora makes a long three-pointer to extend Louisville's lead to 61-44.
11:30 second half, Louisville leads Syracuse 63-44, the Cardinals are on a 12-2 run.
10:27 second half, Louisville leads Syracuse 65-44. The Cardinals are on a 14-2 run.
10:00 second half, Williamson makes two free throws. Louisville leads 67-44.
8:36 second half, Jim Boeheim is called for a technical foul. McMahon makes one free throw, Louisville leads 69-49.
8:28 second half, Enoch is called for a technical foul following a dunk. Louisville leads 72-50.
7:36 second half, Louisville leads Syracuse 76-50.
5:09 second half, Nwora misses an open dunk in transition, causing Mack to call a timeout when the ball returns to Louisville. Louisville leads Syracuse 79-52. Williamson is going in for Nwora.
Williamson hits a jumper on his first possession back in.
3:14 second half, Louisville leads Syracuse 84-59 heading into the final media timeout.
