Demons' losing streak 13 as Louisville nearly doubles up

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville got back on the winning side, while it was more of the same old losing for DePaul.

The fifth-ranked Cardinals started out all business on Sunday against the Blue Demons but by the end it was all fun for the Cardinals, who had a season-high point total in a 99-54 victory.

The loss was the 13th straight for DePaul (8-18, 0-13 Big East), matching its worst streak ever.

The Cardinals (19-5, 10-2) were coming off their worst loss of the season, 90-57 to Notre Dame, an embarrassment, coach Rick Pitino called it. Pitino didn't even want his team wearing their school's name.

"They took away our practice gear and we practiced in shorts and T-shirts," Cardinals guard Preston Knowles said. "We disgraced our name."

But another win, even if it was against the team with the worst record in the conference, was the medicine they needed.

"Coach said play in the now," Louisville's Jerry Smith said. "They will forget about that loss if you win today. We wanted to get our point across early."

Knowles, a reserve guard usually known for his tenacity on defense, led Louisville with 19 points, including a career-high five 3-pointers, and 2 steals.

"When I'm in a zone like I don't think I can miss, all I need is a little space to get open, and my teammates got me the ball," Knowles said.

Reginald Delk, in his first career start for Louisville, scored a career-high 10 and made both of his 3-point attempts.

DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright had an idea that he might be facing an angry swarm in Louisville.

"Basketball is not about who you play, but when you play them," Wainwright said. "It was a bad time for us to play them. It was a great lesson for our young kids."

Sophomore Dar Tucker led the Blue Demons with 17 points, and fellow sophomore Mac Koshwal had 12 points and 10 rebounds.