No. 14 Louisville edges BYUH, 89-79
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Louisville coach Rick Pitino wanted a tuneup before the Maui Invitational. Division II Brigham Young-Hawai'i provided much more yesterday at the BYUH Tournament.
Taquan Dean and Larry O'Bannon each scored 18 points and No. 14 Louisville rallied in the second half to defeat BYUH, 89-79, in the Cardinals' season-opener at La'ie.
"I wanted this game to prepare us for the Maui Classic," Pitino said. "They were a scary opponent to play with your first game. We knew we had to play our hearts out to get a victory."
The game also marked the return of Pitino to Hawai'i. He began his coaching career at Hawai'i as a graduate assistant in 1974-75 and was an assistant coach in 1975-76.
BYUH built a 45-38 second-half lead, but could not hold it. The Cardinals rallied behind tough defense and the scoring of Dean, who had 11 points in the final 20 minutes.
Louisville forced 24 turnovers and scored 15 points off 12 turnovers in the second half.
"We had to play extremely well because they are so athletic and they rebound so well," BYUH coach Ken Wagner said. "We knew their pressure could get to us. I thought both those things hurt us."
The Cardinals employed a full-court press nearly the entire game and wore down the Seasiders, who were playing in their third game in as many days.
"I think they had tired legs down the stretch," Pitino said.
BYUH held a 61-56 lead in the second half before the Cardinals went on an 8-2 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Brandon Jenkins, to take a 64-63 lead. The Cardinals extended their lead to 78-71 with 4:15 left.
BYUH (2-1), behind a pair of free throws by Austin Smylie, closed to 80-77 with 2:36 remaining, but couldn't get closer. Dean followed with one of his four 3-pointers, and the Cardinals ended the game with a 9-2 run.
"Taquan was very important today," Pitino said. "If I can get him more time at the (shooting guard) spot I think you'll see that a lot."
Ellis Myles scored 14 points and Francisco Garcia added 10 for Louisville. BYUH's Smylie scored a game-high 27 points, Thomas Watkins added 15 and Michael Stowell 12.
"Austin, he looks 6-5, but he always plays 6-9, 6-10," Wagner said. "He's just a player."
Louisville outrebounded BYUH 39-31, including 21-10 on the offensive glass.
"I think rebounding was a trouble for us," Smylie said. "Without rebounding, it's pretty hard to win games."
BYUH's Jake Chrisman, the Pacific West Conference Player of the Year, scored seven points in 21 minutes before fouling out. Paul Peterson, starting point guard for BYUH, did not play in the second half because of a concussion.
The Cardinals made their 10th visit to Hawai'i, and first since the 2000-01 season. They face Iowa tomorrow in the first round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Chaminade is tournament host.
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458
