The Louisville Cardinals (9- 4 Big East, 19- 8 overall) beat the 13th ranked Marquette Eagles (8- 5 Big East, 21- 7 overall) on a Jerry Smith three-point jumper as time expired, making the final score 61- 59. It’s the second time in one week that the Cards beat a nationally ranked team and a division opponent. Five days ago Louisville defeated the fifth ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. The Panthers are also the top club in the Big East. Rick Pitino’s young team has really come together.

The win vaulted Louisville into third place in the Big East behind the Panther (10- 2 Big East, 23- 4 overall) and the Georgetown Hoyas (10- 2 Big East, 20- 5 overall) and past Marquette and the 22nd ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (8- 5 Big East, 20- 6 overall).

Although Marquette out shot Louisville from three-point land 46% to 41%, the Cards hit the big one at the end. The Golden Eagles also out matched the Cardinals at the penalty stripe—63% to 50%. But from the floor, the Cards were 53%, while the Eagles were 42%. Each had the same number of shots—45. Louisville made five shots than Marquette did.

Edgar Sosa led Louisville with 15 points, while Jerel McNeal was the high scorer for Marquette, tossing in 18 points. Although he had no points in the game, forward Terrence Williams was a major force for the Cardinals, dishing off 6 assists, grabbing 7 rebounds. On January 15 Louisville lost to Marquette 65- 74. Louisville finishes the regular season against St. John’s, Connecticut and Seton Hall, which are in 11th, 12th and 13th place respectively in the Big East. If Pitino’s team can run the table, it’s no doubt that the Cards will be in March Madness.

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