HOUSTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Marvin Stone scored 17 points and Reece Gaines added 16 Saturday night as sixth-ranked Louisville increased the nation's longest winning streak to 17 games with an 81-55 rout of Houston.
The Cardinals' winning streak matched the second longest in school history. Louisville also closed the 1985-86 season with 17 straight wins and a national championship. The school record was established in 1979-80 at 18 in a row.
Freshman Francisco Garcia scored 10 points and Stone chipped in six as the Cardinals (18-1, 8-0 C-USA American Division) put together a 21-7 run in the opening 8:42 of the contest.
Garcia, who matched a school record with eight three-pointers in Wednesday's victory over Cincinnati, finished with 14 points.
Freshman Taquan Dean, who contributed 15 points, made the fourth of his five three-pointers with 4:34 remaining in the first half and opened a 36-12 cushion for Louisville.
Joshua Tinch converted a layup with 23 seconds to go and the Cardinals took a 45-21 lead into the locker room.
Freshman Cedric Hensley led Houston with 14 points off the bench. But the Cougars (6-13, 4-4 National) dropped their second straight and seventh straight meeting with the Cardinals.
