LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — One remains burned as the loneliest number into Kenny Payne's University of Louisville men's basketball team.

And the most discouraging number. And the most unsettling number. And the most repeating number.

It happened again Tuesday night at the KFC Yum! Center when the Cardinals came from ahead to lose to Syracuse, 70-69. Another one-point loss, the fourth among the 13 the Cards have lost in 15 games.

One more free throw. One fewer turnover. One more crisp pass. One more block out. One more whistle (especially on the final play). 

One more anything.

"We gave it away," Payne said. 

Louisville men's basketball coach Kenny Payne speaks after the Cardinals hosted Syracuse on Jan. 1, 2023.

Yes, they did. 

"It's just frustrating," said Louisville guard El Ellis. "Most of the games we've lost by one point. It's not even the last play at the end or the play before that. It's stuff at the beginning of the game. Offensive rebounds. Fouling."

Fill in the blank. Take your pick.

On a night when Louisville shot 50% in the first half, the Cards missed 6 of 10 free throws. On a night when the Cards outscored Syracuse from distance, 33-21, they sent to the Orange to the foul line 25 times, where they were outscored, 19-4.

On a night when they mostly solved the trademark 2-3 Jim Boeheim zone defense, they carelessly threw the ball away 21 times, 14 in the first half and three times in the final 4 minutes and 18 seconds.

"My heart goes out to my team because they deserve to win," Payne said. "They are getting better and fighting and trying. But nobody's going to give it to you."

No, they are not. In fact, they are going to take it from you, especially if you give it to them. And Syracuse took this one by wiping away a 4-point Louisville lead in the final 5 minutes and 13 seconds. Joe Girard, the Orange senior guard, made two three-point shots and four free throws during that stretch. 

"I can't get over how good Joe was tonight," Boeheim said.

A three-pointer by Girard put Syracuse ahead, 66-64, with 95 seconds to play. Mike James answered with a three for Louisville. Syracuse regained the lead on two free throws by Judah Mintz.

After passing on a three-point, Jae'Lyn Withers tried to put Louisville ahead with a 15-footer on the right baseline. No good. Forced to foul, the Cards sent Girard to the line, where he made a pair, giving him 10 of 11 for the night.

Boeheim directed his team to foul. They did -- three times before Louisville moved into the bonus and Ellis made a pair to make it 70-69.

Syracuse got the ball to Mintz, who moved across center court before he slipped and lost the ball. Ellis pounced on it and raced toward the Syracuse basket. With two defenders ahead of him and Syracuse center Jesse Edwards in pursuit, Ellis was near the foul line when the ball got away from him, rolling to the baseline as time expired.

Boeheim said Edwards knocked it away.

Ellis said Edwards fouled him before he could pass it to James, who was closing hard on the right wing. The video appeared to confirm the contact. No whistle. 

"As soon as I was going to hit Mike James on the wing (Edwards) grabbed my arm," Ellis said. "That's it. I'd been making the right play all night. I wasn't going to shoot that. But the ref didn't call it."

Mark it down as turnover 21 for the Cards. One play away -- just as they were against Bellarmine, Wright State and Appalachian State.

"I don't think Louisville is that bad," Boeheim said. "At least I hope they're not ... they made a lot of shots. They made mistakes, too. That's what teams that lose do."

"I'm continuing to say that we're getting better but there are things that mentally we are like floating," Payne said.

There was floating and there was soaring. In the first half, the Cardinals played their most delightful seconds of the season.

Better than the Western Kentucky game. Better than anything that has gone down since Kenny Payne took charge of the Cardinals.

The ball moved. The players shared. The shots went in.

Louisville put 13 points on the Syracuse zone in less than 2 1/2 minutes. I’ve seen U of L teams coached by Rick Pitino and Denny Crum freeze against that zone.

The crowd, announced at 11,506 in the KFC Yum! Center, stood, roared and fully invested in the idea of an upset over Syracuse. They appreciated seeing the grit that has been missing on too many nights this season. Payne started freshman Kamari Lands and brought Withers off the bench. The pacing and space on offense looked better.

Of course, it was followed by 142 seconds of heartburn. The Cardinals looked like the team that lost 12 of its first 14 games and was a 9-point underdog.

After scoring 13 straight points against the Orange, Louisville gave up 12 consecutive points faster than Boeheim could straighten his glasses. Turnover. Turnover. Turnover. The Cards threw the ball away 14 times over the first 20 minutes in the first half.

From 19-10 ahead, the Cardinals were 22-19 behind — and leaking oil. They eventually steadied and exited with a 35-34 halftime lead on a jumper by Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. Considering all the games when Louisville has been beaten by halftime, this was progress.

In the second half, Louisville led for the first four minutes. The game was tied three times but the Cardinals did not trail until the final 3:39. Then Louisville was one play short -- again.

"I know it probably sounds stupid to say this but I think Louisville is going to win some games," Boeheim said. 

"I think Ellis is really good. I think their big guys are OK. James looked good to me."

Ellis led Louisville with 20 points while Mike James scored a career-high 19.

Louisville will return to the KFC Yum! Center Saturday. Wake Forest will visit. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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