Louisville shuts down Winthrop in one-sided win

Louisville got 20 points from reserve Reyne Smith as the host Cardinals pulled away from Winthrop 76-61 on Friday.Two teams that came in averaging more than 82 points a game found themselves in a more defensive-minded contest as Louisville’s Pat Kelsey coached against the school he led for nine seasons now. The Eagles are now coached by Mark Prosser, a longtime Kelsey assistant.The Cardinals (3-1) held the Eagles (4-3) to a season-worst 31.4 percent shooting, including only 28.9 percent in the first half. Even so, Winthrop stayed with Louisville throughout the half, trailing just 35-27 at halftime thanks to grabbing 11 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points and forcing 12 Louisville turnovers.While Winthrop’s shooting woes continued in the second half, Louisville tightened up on the boards. A 25-18 margin on the boards following the break allowed the Cardinals to keep the Eagles at bay, as Louisville led by double digits for the final 7:54.Smith, who came with Kelsey from the College of Charleston, did his damage from outside. He made 5 of 9 3-point attempts to lead Louisville.J’Vonne Hadley posted 12 points and 13 rebounds, the latter total a career high for the transfer from Colorado.

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