Louisville Rallies Past SMU With Second-Half Surge, Defense Locks In After Halftime Tribute
For a moment, it felt like the ghosts of Louisville’s past were watching with concern. The first half against SMU was rough - no way around it.
The Cardinals couldn’t get a stop, and the Mustangs were getting pretty much whatever they wanted on offense. But then halftime came, and with it, a spark.
After honoring Denny Crum’s 1986 national championship team at the break, something shifted. The 20th-ranked Cardinals, who looked flat and out of sync early, found their defensive edge - and with it, a much-needed 88-74 comeback win at the KFC Yum! Center.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a bounce-back win after Monday’s blowout loss at Duke. This was a gut-check moment for Pat Kelsey’s squad. Down by as many as 12, Louisville didn’t just claw back - they locked in.
In the first half, SMU was surgical. The Mustangs poured in 47 points on 59.4% shooting, averaging 1.237 points per possession. That’s elite-level efficiency, and Louisville had no answers.
But the second half told a different story - one that started on the defensive end. The Cardinals held SMU to just 27 points after the break, forcing tough shots and cutting off driving lanes. The Mustangs hit only 36.7% from the field in the final 20 minutes, a stark contrast to their first-half clinic.
Freshman Mikel Brown Jr. was a major catalyst in the turnaround. Coming off the bench after missing practice time due to illness, Brown dropped 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including three triples. His scoring punch gave Louisville the jolt it needed, and his energy was contagious.
Another key piece? Khani Rooths.
Back from a four-game absence due to injury, Rooths wasted no time making his presence felt. In just 20 minutes off the bench, he posted a double-double: 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting and a game-high 10 rebounds.
His activity on the glass and ability to finish around the rim gave Louisville a much-needed interior boost.
Adrian Wooley, who started in Brown’s place, helped steady the ship early, but it was the bench - and the defensive intensity - that turned the tide.
Now sitting at 15-6 overall and 5-4 in conference play, the Cardinals have a chance to build momentum. Next up: a Sunday night showdown with Notre Dame back at the Yum!
Center. If Louisville brings the same second-half energy from this one, they’ll be tough to beat.
This win wasn’t perfect - not by a long shot - but it showed something this team needed to prove: they can take a punch and respond. And with February basketball heating up, that resilience might be their most important weapon.