Louisville’s second season in the Pat Kelsey era began in remarkable fashion Monday. The No. 11 Cardinals had five players score in double figures in a 104-45 rout of visiting South Carolina State in both teams’ season opener.
Khani Rooths led the way with a career-high 20 points for the Cardinals. The 59-point victory was the team’s largest since an 87-26 win over Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2014.
The Cardinals got off to a rocking start, making their first five shots to take a 13-0 lead in the first 3:30. Isaac McKneely, who finished with 17 points, started the run by draining consecutive 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs struggled, missing their first dozen shots. By the time James Morrow got a putback with 10:36 left in the first half, the Cardinals enjoyed a 24-4 lead. South Carolina State shot just 10.3% in the first half as it ended the half missing its final 13 attempts.
Kelsey’s second team at Louisville isn’t quite the overhaul as he had last season where nearly everyone was new. This team does have a starter back in J’Vonne Hadley. The sixth-year player finished with 13 points and was a rebound shy of his eighth double-double in a Louisville uniform. Rooths, another returning player, finished 8-of-12 shooting.
Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr., both of whom made the All-ACC preseason team, finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Brown, a five-star recruit, dished out a game-high six of Louisville’s 23 assists.
Sananda Fru added nine points and eight rebounds in the victory.
The Cardinals shot 53.2% from the field and made 12-of-32 3-pointers (37.5%). McKneely went 5-of-11 from the arc. Louisville also held the Bulldogs to just 22.8% shooting overall.
Louisville led by as many as 67 with 2:32 remaining.
Rayniel Wright scored 11 points for the Bulldogs, who were outrebounded 47-33.
