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Louisville gunning for another win against lowly Notre Dame

Feb 12, 2009 - 11:21 AM No. 7 Louisville (18-4) at Notre Dame (12-10) 7:00 p.m. EST

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (Ticker) -- A failed test against the first-place team in the Big East is the only thing keeping Louisville from the conference's top spot.

The Cardinals' success only spells further disaster for ice-cold Notre Dame.

Seventh-ranked Louisville goes for its second straight win when it attempts to sweep the season series against the Fighting Irish. on Thursday.

The Cardinals (18-4, 9-1 Big East) opened conference play with eight straight victories. That run came to a crashing halt on February 2 when Louisville endured an embarrassing 68-51 loss to top-ranked Connecticut.

The team bounced back with a 60-47 triumph over St. John's on Sunday and should continue that momentum against Notre Dame, which has fallen apart after a promising start.

The Fighting Irish (12-10, 3-7) have lost their last six Big East games and seven in a row overall, including an ugly 89-63 road loss to then-No. 12 UCLA on Saturday.

Notre Dame's current drought began with an 87-73 overtime loss to Louisville on January 12. After both teams failed to convert on their final possessions in regulation, the Cardinals outscored the Fighting Irish 16-2 in the extra session to earn the victory.