Louisville closed out the final ten minutes of the first half on a 31-7 run and cruised to an 88-39 win over Jacksonville State in the home opener at the KFC YUM! Center.

“The best part of the game was the passing in the first half,” Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said. “It was as good as I have seen it in quite some time.”

The Cardinals had 11 of their 15 assists in the first half.

In his second collegiate game, Chinanu Onuaku registered his first career double-double.  The freshman center finished with 12 points and ten rebounds, shooting 5-of-5 from the field.

The four other Cardinal starters scored in double figures too.

Montrezl Harrell scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds.  Terry Rozzier added 13 points and four rebounds.

After being held out of much of the season opener against Minnesota, Wayne Blackshear finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

“It was frustrating sitting out in foul trouble, so I wanted to come back out tonight and play well,” Blackshear said.

In the postgame press conference, Pitino said Chris Jones was the best player on the floor.  The senior guard scored ten points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.

Louisville (2-0) will face Marshall on Friday at the KFC YUM! Center.