BOZICH | Beaten up Louisville rallies but falls to Clemson, 70-64 | Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It was the fewest points the University of Louisville men’s basketball team allowed in the first half in any Atlantic Coast Conference game this season -- only 34.

It was the Cards’ best rebounding effort in weeks. Kenny Payne’s team grabbed 11 offensive rebounds in the first half and did not allow Clemson any. The Cards had four steals in the first 16 minutes.

It still wasn’t enough.

In a game that was tied after 14 minutes, Clemson stormed to a 24-point lead in the second half and then held off Louisville for a 70-64 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum Tuesday night in Clemson, S.C.

"I'm proud of my guys," Payne said. "I know people want us to be down because we lost.

"But at the end of the day I saw five guys on the court, whichever five, fighting with everything they had to win a game. I am proud of my guys."

Louisville was outscored 18-6 over the final 6 minutes and 20 seconds of the first half — and 9-1 to start the second half.

That was when the game was lost, even though Tre White did score a career-best 29 points as Louisville cut the lead to 66-62 with 28.6 seconds to play. Louisville slipped to 6-15 overall and 1-9 in the ACC.

White also had 14 rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals as the only Cardinal to score in double figures.

"I thought Tre White showed why we wanted him here," Payne said. "I just told him in the locker room that I just saw the guy that I wanted."

The Cards did not have any assists in the first 28 minutes and finished with 4, one less than their season low. There were reasons for that.

The Cards had injuries. Injuries on top of the injuries the program has already endured this season.

Back-up point guard Ty-Laur Johnson missed the game after injuring his ankle at practice Tuesday. Skyy Clark went to the bench two minutes into the second half with a hip injury and did not return. Hercy Miller, the third point guard, went to California last weekend for a medical evaluation and did not make the trip.

With J.J. Traynor out with shoulder surgery, Dennis Evans gone from the team because of a medical condition and Koron Davis dismissed in December, Louisville had seven scholarship players available for the final 18 minutes.

The Cards were already behind, 39-23. Shooting 2 for 20 from distance made it impossible for Louisville to finish its climb back into the game. Mike James (1 for 12, 8 points) and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (2 for 9, 7 points) struggled to contribute.

The Cards had foul trouble. Emmanuel Okorafor and Kaleb Glenn both had three fouls in the first half. Payne drew his first technical foul this season.

"We out-rebounded them by 19 (48-29) one of the most physical teams in this conference," Payne said. "We fought. So I can't sit here and be negative when my guys, without two point guards, go out and battle the way they did."

The Cards return home Saturday to play Florida State at the KFC Yum! Center at 8 p.m. The Seminoles are 12-8 overall but 6-3 in the ACC. Leonard Hamilton’s team has not played since it lost to North Carolina, 75-68, last Saturday.