After letting the Providence Friars score the first eight points of the game, the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals came back to take the lead at halftime and finished the home game with a sound 80-62 victory.
No. 4 Louisville vs. Providence final score: Cardinals come back to stomp Friars, 80-62
The Cardinals stay perfect at home and opened Big East Conference play with a win.
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Louisville used a 16-0 run in the second half to pull away from the Friars. Russ Smith came off the bench on fire for the Cardinals, hitting four of his five shots from beyond the arc and finishing with a game-high 23 points. Luke Hancock also made a big contribution off the bench, knocking down 11 points on the evening. Center Gorgul Dieng added a double-double of his own with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Chane Behanen had 10 points, as well. Peyton Siva ended the night with 10 points and eight assists.
Kadeem Batts had a good night from the field, shooting 8-of-11 and racking up a team-high 17 points against the Cardinals. Starters Bryce Cotton and Vincent Council also finished in double figures with 16 and 11 points.
The No. 4 Cardinals continue conference play a week from Wednesday when they travel to Seton Hall. The Friars will be home for the first time in three weeks when they face DePaul on Saturday.
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