UVA Defense Stifles #6 Louisville

(Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Devon Hall scored 10 points and Kyle Guy added a key jumper with 2:02 remaining as No. 12 Virginia withstood a late rally to upset No. 6 Louisville 61-53 on Wednesday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both schools.

Recommended Videos



The Cavaliers (11-1, 1-0) seemed headed to another lopsided win over Louisville before the Cardinals rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit to get within 57-48 with 3:51 left. Guy's basket regained momentum for Virginia, which got two free throws from Mamadi Diakite with 28 seconds left to seal its fourth straight win overall and fourth in five games against Louisville (11-2, 0-1). He had nine points.

Hall made 5 of 10 from the field to lead the Cavaliers, whose strong shooting built the big lead before they cooled off to finish at 49 percent. Jack Salt had seven rebounds as Virginia outrebounded the Cardinals 31-26.

Quentin Snider, Deng Adel and Tony Hicks had eight points each for Louisville, which had won six straight and sought to follow up last week's win over rival Kentucky.

THE BIG PICTURE

Virginia: The Cavaliers' defense succeeded as expected, forcing 11 first-half turnovers alone for 12 points while denying the Cardinals good looks throughout. Making it better was a solid offensive start that built a double-digit lead less than 4 minutes in that held up despite a 3-minute, first-half stretch without a field goal and a cold stretch that allowed Louisville to regroup.

Louisville: The Cardinals aren't used to playing from behind and had to work hard to cut down a big deficit. But the Cardinals couldn't get the baskets they needed at key moments and finished at 43 percent from the field.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Virginia's mastery of Louisville continued with a win that could push the Cavaliers closer to the Top 10. Louisville's game Saturday against No. 16 Indiana might determine whether it stays in the Top 10 or falls out.

UP NEXT

Virginia: Hosts No. 20 Florida State on Saturday in its ACC home opener.

Louisville: Ends non-conference play on Saturday against No. 16 Indiana in Indianapolis.

___