RALEIGH, N.C. — Reyne Smith and Terrence Edwards Jr. scored 21 points each and hot-shooting Louisville rolled past N.C. State 91-66 on Wednesday night.
The Cardinals shot 61% in the first half and 67% in the second for 64% overall. They made 35 of 55 shots, 11 of 19 3-pointers and 10 of 11 free throws.
J’Vonne Hadley had 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Louisville (19-6, 12-2 ACC). Chucky Hepburn, after missing the last game with an injury, scored 15 and added in six assists.
It was the first time in program history that the Cards logged five 20-point plus road wins in a single season. Head coach Pat Kelsey said, “Winning on the road in college basketball isn’t easy. These guys continue to prepare the right way and carry out the game plan.”
Trey Parker scored 13 points, Breon Pass and Paul McNeil Jr. 12 each, and Marcus Hill 10 for the Wolfpack (9-15, 2-11), who have lost nine in a row.
After leading by 14 at halftime, the Cardinals pushed their lead to 20 points early in the second half. A 3-pointer from Smith made it 81-53 near the four-minute mark and his 3 a minute later restored the 28-point lead.
Louisville scored the first seven points of the game and the Cardinals led 30-13 after Hadley made two free throws with about 7 1/2 minutes left in the first half.
N.C. State used a 7-0 run to get within single digits at 36-27 with about a minute to go in the half before a layup by Hepburn and a 3-pointer by Smith put Louisville up 41-27 at the break.
Louisville led 46-16 in points in the paint and 21-10 on the fast break.
N.C. State had 41 bench points, compared to 11 for Louisville.
Kelsey said the team worked on guarding the ball. He added, “I think our guys, for the most part, did a pretty good job of that. I thought Khani Rooths gave us a great second half after not playing many minutes early in the first half. We had five guys in double figures. [Aboubacar] Traore had nine so I’m counting him right there. We shared the ball, played well together, stepped up and made shots, and really guarded.”
Louisville moved ahead 15-14 in the all-time series between the two.
Louisville visits Notre Dame on Sunday. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. and can be seen on the ACC Network.
