CRAWFORD | More injuries, more grit: Shorthanded Louisville handles Miami, 88-78

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The battle of attrition continues for the University of Louisville basketball team. But at least the Cardinals are winning it — on the court, at least.

Louisville, already playing without starting point guard and leading scorer Chucky Hepburn, out with a groin injury (not to mention starting forward Kasean Pryor and backup point guard Koren Johnson, both injured early in the season), but they lost starting center James Scott to a tooth injury midway through the first half.

The wear showed in the second half against Miami. The Cards kept building a double-digit lead, but couldn't make the big shots to extend it, and a Hurricanes team coming off its first win in ACC play just a couple of nights earlier smelled the upset.

Smelled it, but could not get a taste. Louisville dug in defensively, came up with a couple of big steals, and got some timely three-pointers from Reyne Smith to hold off the Hurricanes, 88-78.

How happy was Cardinals' coach Pat Kelsey with the win? After the postgame handshake line, he made a straight line into the stands near the student section in the north end zone and slapped hands with fans.

On an afternoon when Louisville's 2005 Final Four team was honored at halftime, Louisville's current team had to channel that group. Every starter on the '05 team averaged better than 30 minutes per game during its Final Four run.

On Saturday, Louisville's trio of Smith, Terrence Edwards and J'Vonne Hadley all logged at least 39. Edwards, filling in at point guard, was outstanding, finishing with 25 points and 10 assists in 40 minutes. Smith finished with 27 points and made six three-pointers while dishing out five assists. Hadley ended the game with 12 points and seven rebounds.

"The last time I played a whole game at point guard was probably sixth grade," Edwards said.

Didn't matter. Until after the postgame press conference.

"Get me some water," Edwards said on his way back to the locker room.

Miami's biggest threat came with 6:08 to play when it pulled within five. Louisville responded with seven points, four when Smith was fouled on a made three-pointer, and three more when Khani Rooths slammed home a fast-break dunk and was fouled.

"It felt good when it left my hand," Smith said. "I felt like it was in."

As he laid on his back after the foul, all he had to do was listen to the crowd for confirmation.

The visitors never got closer than nine the rest of the way.

On the stat sheet and in the NET rankings, the win won't look all that impressive, given Miami's struggles this season, both before and after the departure of coach Jim Larranaga. But it's worth remembering this team was playing without three starters and a key reserve. And still avoided any anxious moments down the stretch.

Louisville improves to 18-6 win the win, 11-2 in the ACC. That win in conference is significant. Pat Kelsey, in his first year as coach, has now matched the number of wins the program had in the ACC in the past three seasons combined.

The Cardinals shot 49% for the game and outrebounded Miami 38-32. They now hit the road for a pair of games, the next one at N.C. State at 7 p.m. Wednesday.