Brown and Rooths Lead Louisville to 88-74 Victory Over SMU

In a thrilling matchup in Louisville, the Cardinals triumphed over Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a score of 88-74. Key contributions from freshman Mikel Brown and sophomore Khani Rooths off the bench were pivotal in this Atlantic Coast Conference clash.

Mikel Brown and Khani Rooths Shine Off the Bench

Mikel Brown, after facing injuries and setbacks, came through with an impressive performance. He scored 20 points and played a crucial role in stabilizing the game for Louisville. His ability to calm the team’s nerves was instrumental in securing the victory.

Khani Rooths also made a significant impact. Returning after four games due to illness, Rooths energized the team with his rebounding and a remarkable dunk that energized the Yum! Center crowd.

Game Overview

The game started poorly for Louisville, as they found themselves trailing by 12 points early on. Coming off a disappointing 31-point loss to Duke, the Cardinals appeared lethargic. However, they managed to regroup by halftime, cutting the deficit to just three points.

During the second half, Louisville’s defensive adjustments paid off. SMU struggled offensively, shooting only 37% and connecting on just three three-pointers after the break.

Key Statistics

• Bench Points: Louisville’s bench outscored SMU’s 47-5.
• Rebounds: Louisville led in rebounding 35-34.
• Turnovers: Louisville converted turnovers into 18 points while limiting SMU to 13.
• Shooting: Louisville shot 55% from the field while SMU struggled at 37%.

Isaac McKneely contributed significantly, scoring 14 points, with Ryan Conwell adding another 12. J’Vonne Hadley registered 10 points, and Vangelis Zougris provided a defensive boost that aided in maintaining the lead.

Honoring the Past

During halftime, Louisville honored its 1986 national championship team. This nostalgic moment served as an inspiration to the current squad, which improved its record to 15-6 and 5-4 in the ACC.

Looking ahead, Louisville will face Notre Dame on Wednesday, as they aim to build on this vital victory against SMU.