Skip to content

Balanced attack leads No. 11 Louisville over Southern Illinois

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Mangok Mathiang scored 15 points to lead No. 11 Louisville to a 74-51 victory over Southern Illinois on Tuesday night.

The 6-foot-10 senior got the Cardinals (8-1) off to a hot start as he scored the team's first seven points, and Louisville settled in from there, extending the lead to 21-4 in the game's first 8 minutes. In making six of nine shots, Mathiang finished two points shy of his career high in just 22 minutes.

As Southern Illinois (5-4) came to the Yum! Center with no one taller than 6-9, Louisville used its size to its advantage. The Cardinals blocked nine shots and outrebounded the Salukis 43-31.

Sophomore Deng Adel posted his first double-double for Louisville, as the 6-7 forward finished with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, besting the seven he grabbed against Boston College last February.

Sean O'Brien led the Salukis with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Mike Rodriguez added 15 points.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox