Louisville moves to 4-0 with 84-72 win over Saint Francis

Now the competition takes a steep step up.

In its final tune-up before facing a pair of (currently) ranked teams next week, Louisville forced visiting Saint Francis (PA) into 19 turnovers and ran away with an 84-72 victory.

All five U of L starters scored in double figures. Ray Spalding led the way with 19 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, but left the game midway through the second half with an apparent ankle injury. Deng Adel scored 13 points, while Anas Mahmoud chipped in 12 and nine rebounds.

Louisville won despite allowing Saint Francis to keep things interesting in the second half thanks to its outside shooting. The Red Flash finished the night 10-of-21 from beyond the arc, good for 47.6 percent.

The Good:

—Ray Spalding giving perhaps the best and most complete performance of his career.

—V.J. King scoring 10 early points in the game’s opening eight minutes.

—Quentin Snider finding his outside stroke and burying back-to-back threes to create some separation early in the second half.

—The Cards winning the turnover battle by 10.

—Deng Adel once again taking over the moment things got a little too close for comfort.

—This dunk:

—Jordan Nwora putting the finishing touches on the game with a no hesitation triple.

—Cards are 4-0.

The Bad:

—Ray Spalding seeing said performance cut short by injury.

—Pretty much everything V.J. did after those early 10 points.

—Louisville being out-rebounded, 35-33.

—Saint Francis being able to keep the game so close despite its best player, Isaiah Blackmon (14.3 ppg), being sidelined.

—U of L’s perimeter defense.

—Louisville’s mid-range jumper game outside of Deng Adel.

—Poor Kent Taylor’s voice (thanks for playing through the pain, man).

Highlights