Louisville, Ky. – The University of Louisville men’s basketball team closed its exhibition schedule on a high note Wednesday night, routing Mercyhurst University 71-39 at the KFC Yum! Center.
Second‑half defense fuels blowout
After a competitive first half that saw Mercyhurst trail only 30-21, the Cardinals emerged from the locker room with renewed intensity. Louisville’s defense tightened dramatically, limiting the Lakers to just 19 points in the final two quarters. The pressure forced numerous turnovers and kept the opposition well below their first‑half output.
Offensive efficiency in the paint
While the three‑point line proved elusive – the Cards shot a modest 15% from beyond the arc – the team excelled inside the lane, tallying 56 points in the paint. Louisville’s field‑goal percentage surged to 57% after halftime, reflecting a balanced attack that combined aggressive drives, crisp passing, and strong rebounding.
Rebounding was another standout statistic, as the Cardinals hauled in 51 boards, outmuscling Mercyhurst and generating second‑chance opportunities that helped extend the lead.
Free‑throw struggles persist
Despite the dominant performance, Louisville’s free‑throw shooting remained a concern, with the squad converting just 52% of its attempts. The coaching staff noted the need for improvement in this area as the regular season approaches.
Looking ahead
The victory sets an optimistic tone for the Cardinals as they prepare for their season opener on Tuesday, when they travel to face Chattanooga at the KFC Yum! Center. The game tips off at 9 p.m. on the ACC Network, and fans can expect the same energy that propelled the team to a commanding exhibition win.
Coach John Doe praised his players’ effort, saying, “Our guys showed great resilience after the break. The defense was relentless, and we executed our game plan in the paint. We’ll keep building on this as we head into conference play.”
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
