By Sam Draut–

Opening the first of three games at the KFC YUM! Center as part of the Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational, Louisville defeated Hartford 87-52 on Tuesday.

Fifth-year graduate transfer Damion Lee got back to the scoring start he wanted to after playing just three minutes and being held scoreless in Louisville’s season opener on Friday against Samford. The 6-foot-6 guard scored 13 points in the first half and finished with 18 points and three assists.

It was another complete effort for the Cardinals, shooting 33 of 65 from the field for 50.8 percent while limiting Hartford to a cold night beyond the arc. Speaking in place of head coach Rick Pitino, assistant coach Ralph Willard said Hartford’s three point shooting ability was a major point of emphasis. Louisville held the Hawks (1-2) to three of 17 on three-point attempts.

Once again, Chinanu Onuaku got off to another hot start, scoring ten points in the first eight minutes. He finished a rebound shy of a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. The 6-foot-10 center set a new career high in scoring and field goals made.

“He has worked extremely hard, he is doing a lot of little thing,” Willard said. “A lot of it has to do with confidence, but confidence comes from hard work, and he has worked really hard.”

After leading 45-31 at halftime, Louisville’s defense locked in through the first part of the second half. Hartford had just one point through the first nine minutes and had their first field goal ten and a half minutes into the second half.

Trey Lewis added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists while fellow backcourt mate Quentin Snider had nine points and six assists.

Jaylen Johnson had another workman like night playing seventeen minutes, scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds.

“His progress is great, his attitude is great,” Willard said. “Jaylen gives you a lot of energy on the floor.”

Louisville will host North Florida on Saturday at noon.