ORLANDO, FL – Rick Pitino and his defending champion Cardinals held off a tough Manhattan squad to win 71-64 and advance to face Saint Louis on Saturday. Luke Hancock iced down the room with two threes in the final minute and a half to give Louisville just enough room to breathe and move on. Louisville guard Russ Smith led all scorers with 16 points, while Montrezl Harrell grabbed 13 rebounds and poured in a dozen points to keep the defending champions alive.
Ashton Pankey scored 16 for the Jaspers, who led 58-55 with about four minutes left to play before Hancock and Smith came alive behind the arc.
Tom McCarthy and Donny Marshall called the action on WestwoodOne Sports.
(Montrezl Harrell dunk sets Louisville off and running)
[podcast id='1']
(Manhattan responds with a 14-4 run capped by Emmy Andujar)
[podcast id='2']
(Harrell gives Louisville the lead with a basket and the foul)
[podcast id='3']
(Rhamel Brown responds for Manhattan)
[podcast id='4']
(Louisville’s Russ Smith ties the game at 58 with a three)
[podcast id='5']
(Luke Hancock turns out the lights with a second consecutive three)
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(Final call as the Cardinals advance to the third round)
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(Postgame interview with Louisville’s Russ Smith)
[podcast id='7']
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