LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Chris Jones scored 18 points and backcourt mate Terry Rozier added 17 as No. 7 Louisville overcame poor shooting to beat Marshall 85-67 Friday night.
Forward Wayne Blackshear had 16 points, 12 in the first half, for the Cardinals (3-0).
Star forward Montrezl Harrell sat most of the second half with four fouls. He went to bench 2 1/2 minutes after the break with Louisville up 43-31 and returned with 5:47 left and the Cardinals ahead by 13.
Senior forward Shawn Smith led the Thundering Herd (3-1) with 16 points.
Louisville shot 27 of 70 (39 percent). The Cardinals started out only 7 for 23 and missed all 10 of their 3s in the first half.
It was the first time the Cardinals failed to make a 3 in a half since their round of eight win against Duke en route to the 2013 national title, a first half more remembered for Kevin Ware’s gruesome leg injury.
Marshall finished 23 of 63 from the field (37 percent) but was confident early, and with reason. The Thundering Herd made seven of their first nine shots and led 18-15 eight minutes in.
Blackshear’s steal and subsequent dunk with 7:51 remaining in the half gave Louisville a 22-20 lead, part of an 11-0 run.
Louisville led 41-27 at halftime as Marshall shot just 3 for 20 after its good start.
TIP-INS
Marshall: Forward Ryan Taylor came into the game averaging 18 points a game. The sophomore from Indianapolis originally committed to Louisville before landing at Marshall. He scored 15 against the Cardinals. … This was coach Dan D’Antoni’s first loss at his alma mater.