Russ and the Cards Roll Past Marquette

Russ Smith scored a game-high 18 points and Peyton Siva added 14 points and seven assists as the Cards overcame a slow start to rout No. 25 Marquette 70-51 Sunday at the KFC Yum Center.

UofL, ranked 12th in the latest AP poll, fell behind 9-1 in the game’s opening moments, but freshman forward Montrezl Harrell ignited Louisville off the bench with both his energy and some powerful dunks around the basket. The Cardinals closed the first-half on a 28-8 run to take a 38-24 lead at intermission and Golden Eagles never seriously threatened in the second half.

Wayne Blackshear returned to action after missing a game with a shoulder injury, finishing with nine points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. Kevin Ware also returned from a one-game suspension, playing 14 scoreless minutes.

Louisville (18-4, 6-3 Big East) now sits one game behind Marquette and Syracuse for first place in the Big East. They return to action Wednesday night at Rutgers (12-6, 3-8)