PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) Donovan Mitchell scored 14 points, including two critical 3-pointers in the final 4+ minutes, to help No. 10 Louisville beat Wichita State 62-52 on Thursday, earning a trip to the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game.
Quentin Snider also scored 14 for the Cardinals (5-0), who locked down defensively in the first half, then turned away the Shockers’ second-half comeback.
Trailing 33-17 at the half and by 16 with about 14 minutes left, Wichita State (5-1) hit three straight 3-pointers to get back in it and twice got within six. But the Cardinals repeatedly came up with timely offensive rebounds or baskets to keep control.
Wichita State shot just 32 percent for the game, while Louisville – which shot 37 percent – helped itself by making 17 of 23 free throws and taking a 46-33 rebounding advantage.
Markis McDuffie and Shaquille Morris each scored 10 for the Shockers.
BIG PICTURE
Louisville: Coach Rick Pitino was concerned about the roughly 14-hour turnaround between the Cardinals’ opener in Atlantis and Thursday’s second-round game. But the Cardinals handled it just fine, frustrating the high-scoring Shockers with tight defense and controlling the glass as Wichita State tried to rally in the second half.
Wichita State: The high-scoring offense went cold for the first time this year. The Shockers had shot 51 percent through the first five games but struggled to knock down their looks against Louisville’s defense.
UP NEXT
Louisville: The Cardinals advanced to Friday’s championship game to face No. 20 Baylor, which beat No. 24 Michigan State in Thursday’s first game.
Wichita State: The Shockers will face No. 24 Michigan State in Friday’s third-place game.
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