COL BKB: Louisville 88, Temple 66

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Russ Smith scored 21 points Thursday to lead fourth-ranked Louisville past visiting Temple 88-66.

Smith was an efficient 8-for-12 from the field and hit 7-of-8 free throws for the Cardinals (24-4, 13-2 American), who shot 53.3 percent from the field and won their seventh consecutive game.

The victory moved Louisville into a tie for the American Athletic Conference lead with idle Cincinnati.

Montrezl Harrell scored 21 points and Terry Rozier had 19 points for Louisville.

Will Cummings led Temple (7-20, 2-13) with 18 points. Quenton DeCosey scored 17.

Temple fell to 20 losses for the first time in the 118-year history of the program.