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Louisville cruises past South Florida

Feb 17, 2013 - 8:28 PM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Russ Smith scored a game-high 15 points to lead 12th-ranked Louisville to a 59-41 win over South Florida on Sunday.

Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear added 12 points apiece for the Cardinals (21-5, 9-4 Big East), who have won five of their last six games.

On Friday, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino was named one of 12 finalists for consideration for induction in the 2013 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class. During his 27-year career Pitino has earned 648 wins, reached the NCAA Tournament 17 times and collected one NCAA Championship while leading Kentucky in 1996.

Jawanza Poland scored 11 points while Toarlyn Fitzpatrick and JaVontae Hawkins finished with nine points apiece for the Bulls (10-15, 1-12), who have dropped eight straight.

The Bulls led 11-8 early in the first half. Kevin Ware canned a 3-pointer to ignite a 22-3 run to put the Cardinals up 30-14.

USF, though, closed the half on a 10-2 swing to pull the hosts within 32-24 entering the break.

The Bulls were able to trim the deficit to 36-30 with 13 minutes left, but Louisville exploded for a 19-3 surge to take a 55-33 lead with just over six minutes remaining.

USF never got closer than 16 the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Louisville holds a 27-4 lead in the all-time series ... The Cardinals have recorded at least 10 steals in 19 of 26 games this season ... Louisville held USF to a dismal 24.5 percent (13-for-53) shooting from the field ... The Cardinals dominated USF inside, outscoring the Bulls in the paint, 32-14 ... USF allowed 23 points off 16 turnovers.