COL BKB: West Virginia 77, Louisville 74

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Da'Sean Butler's jumper with 5.8 seconds Saturday gave ninth-ranked West Virginia a difficult 77-74 Big East Conference win over Louisville.

Butler's bucket came shortly after Jerry Smith's two free throws had given Louisville a 74-73 lead.

The Cardinals led 44-40 at the break and held a 66-53 edge on Sammardo Samuels' layup with 9:58 left.

Butler's 27 points led West Virginia. Kevin Jones added 16, Wellington Smith 12, and Devin Ebanks added nine with 11 rebounds for the Mountaineers (17-3, 6-2), who have won four in a row.

Samuels and Raymond Delk led Louisville with 16 points and six rebounds apiece.

Peyton Siva, the only other player in double figures, scored 14 with four rebounds for the Cardinals (13-8, 4-4), who have lost four of five.

In defeat, Louisville had seven steals and five blocked shots, but 17 turnovers.