Cards get it done! 83-79 and advance for the first time in nine years

📸: Jeff Nunn

Despite the news of ⭐️ PG Mikel Brown, the Cardinals came into their tournament game against the Bulls of SFU with victory on their minds.

Prior to today’s March Madness game, it had been nine years since the Cardinals had tasted victory in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The first half had its moments of both highs and lows as the Cardinals would have consistent spurts of turnovers.

But the turnovers didn’t stop the Cardinals from having massive spots and moments of positivity as Isaac McKneely started knocking down deep-range shots. McKneely would end up hitting three three-pointers in the first half after going just 1 of 6 against Miami in the ACC.

The Cardinals came into the start of the second half with a double-digit lead, and let’s just say they kept things going on that path. From making proper cuts to making great passes, the Cardinals would widen the gap even more.

Around the 11-minute mark, the Cardinals would let up in a sense as USF would trim a once 23-pt lead, down to 11 with 8:32 to go in the game. At this point, the USF fans would start making their presence known and felt, yelling, screaming, you name it; the tide was turning.

And the tides kept turning in favor of the Bulls as they’d trim the Cardinals’ lead down to nine with 4:38 to go in the game. As the shot clock was nearing the zero mark, Fru for Louisville would slam the ball in four to the score, putting the lead

to 77-70.

With 1:32 seconds to go in the game, South Florida would hoist a three in hopes of trimming the deficit to three, but the shot would clank and Fru would get the most important rebound of the game.

Despite letting a 23-point lead lapse,  the Louisville Cardinals would finally earn their first NCAA Tournament  victory since 2017 by defeating the bulldogs of South Florida by a score of 83-79.

Isaac McKneely : 23pts (7-10 from 3pt)

Ryan Conwell : 18pts

Javon Hadley : 10pts (3-4 FG) / (1-1 3pt)