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Marquette holds off Louisville

Jan 17, 2012 - 2:00 AM Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Darius Johnson-Odom scored 19 points as No. 21 Marquette overcame a slow start to down No. 23 Louisville, 74-63, at Bradley Center.

Davante Gardner totaled 17 points and six rebounds for the Golden Eagles (15-4, 4-2 Big East), who got 14 points and 11 boards from Jae Crowder.

"The first seven minutes of the game was not indicative of our play or how we wanted to play," said Marquette head coach Buzz Williams after his squad found itself trailing by 16 early on. "From that point forward, that's much more us and it gave us a better chance for success."

Russ Smith poured in 20 points and Chane Behanan contributed 10 with a game- high 12 rebounds for the Cardinals (14-5, 2-4).

After a Smith jumper with 3:53 left in the first half gave Louisville a 30-23 edge, Marquette finished the period on an 11-0 run to take a 34-30 lead to the break.

Todd Mayo hit a triple to start the burst, Gardner hit a jumper then two from the line, Johnson-Odom contributed a bucket and Crowder closed out the half with a short-range make.

Gardner's free throw to complete a three-point play boosted Eagles to a 48-39 edge with 12:39 left, but a quick surge from the visitors brought them within 51-49 on a Chris Smith make from long distance.

Gorgui Dieng's shot with 8:19 to play got Louisville to 57-53, but Gardner's bucket off the break triggered the deciding 14-3 run that Junior Cadougan ended on two from the line with two minutes left.

"So, this one got by us. Now we got to go get Pittsburgh," said Louisville head coach Rick Pitino. "It's not going to be an easy game. Pittsburgh is starving for a win."

Louisville rolled to an 18-2 advantage just after the six-minute mark thanks to a pair of treys each from the Smiths.

Marquette finally woke up and clawed its way back to 28-23 after Johnson- Odom's shot from beyond the arc.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, Louisville has taken 40 of the 66 meetings with Marquette...Mayo ended with 11 points and a pair of assists...Crowder also tallied a game-high six steals...The Golden Eagles beat the Cardinals for the 14th time in 31 meetings in Milwaukee.