Louisville Holds Off Florida State for 89-81 Victory

<p-LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – The No. 25 ranked University of Louisville Cardinals overcame adversity to secure an 89-81 victory against Florida State on Saturday, demonstrating resilience after battling illness and foul troubles. The win, their fifth straight, was pivotal in the Atlantic Coast Conference, pushing Louisville’s record to 21-6 overall and 14-2 in conference play.

The Cardinals showcased early dominance, jumping to a 39-19 lead in the first half. Chucky Hepburn, the game’s standout scorer, contributed a game-high 29 points, primarily from the free-throw line, where he went 17-for-19, setting a school record.

Louisville coach Pat Kelsey faced a challenging second half as Florida State chipped away at an initially comfortable 20-point lead, narrowing the gap to just six points midway through the half. “We faced a lot of pressure, but the team responded well,” Kelsey said post-game.

The game turned intense as Terrence Edwards sat with four fouls, and Hepburn grappled with foul trouble of his own. Despite the hurdles, Louisville executed crucial plays during pivotal moments, with Hepburn hitting a late three-pointer as the shot clock expired, extending the lead to 79-64 with just over four minutes remaining.

Florida State made a comeback attempt, scoring seven quick points to cut the lead to 78-71. However, Edwards, who finished with 16 points, managed a critical drive to maintain a margin. “We had to stay composed. Every possession counted,” Edwards acknowledged.

Jamir Watkins led the Seminoles with 23 points, and Malique Ewin had an efficient performance with 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Despite their efforts, Florida State could not capitalize on Louisville’s late errors, as the Cardinals closed the game out at the free-throw line, maintaining a sizable lead.

Hepburn’s performance solidified his role as a key player for Louisville. “I just focused on getting to the line and taking advantage of the opportunities,” he said. With four regular-season games remaining, the Cardinals will next face Virginia Tech on Tuesday, aiming to continue their winning momentum.