COL BKB: Louisville 90, Notre Dame 85

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- David Padgett had 26 points and six rebounds Thursday to lead 18th-ranked Louisville past No. 17 Notre Dame 90-85.

The winners set an early tone by streaking to a 22-8 advantage with 13:28 left in the first half. That lead grew to 34-16 about three minutes later on Derrick Caracter's layup and was 42-27 at the break.

In the final 20 minutes, Notre Dame closed to 81-75 on Luke Harangody's three-pointer with 1:08 left.

Terrance Williams and Earl Clark both scored 14 points.

Edgar Sosa and Andre McGee scored 10 each, while Clark added nine rebounds for the Cardinals (23-6, 13-3 Big East), who, with their eighth straight victory, tied idle Georgetown atop the Big East standings.

Harangody scored a career-high 40 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Notre Dame. Ryan Ayers finished with 17 points and five rebounds, but sharp-shooter Kyle McAlarney was held to seven points for the Fighting Irish (21-6, 11-4), who had won three in a row.