LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Reyne Smith was a standout for Louisville, contributing 20 points in a 76-61 victory over Winthrop on Friday night. This win marked a significant moment for coach Pat Kelsey, as it was his first against his former team, which he led from 2012 until 2021.

Joining Smith in the scoring column were J’Vonne Hadley, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, and James Scott, who also tallied 12 points. Chucky Hepburn added another 10 points, helping Louisville secure a 3-1 record for the season. Notably, guard Koren Johnson was sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

The game shifted in favor of the Cardinals when Scott executed a dunk around 6:41 left in the first half, pushing Louisville to a 14-13 lead that they maintained for the remainder of the contest. Smith then expanded the lead with a three-pointer at 3:57, signaling the team’s first double-digit advantage at 26-16. Another of Smith’s shots from beyond the arc further solidified their hold with a 57-45 lead midway through the second half, effectively keeping Winthrop at bay for the rest of the game.

For Winthrop, Kelton Talford led the way with 15 points, while K.J. Doucet added a double-double of his own with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Paul Jones III contributed 12 points, and Kasen Harrison chipped in 10 points as well, but the team fell to a record of 4-3.

This encounter was historic, being the first time that Louisville and Winthrop squared off against each other. Looking ahead, Louisville is set to head to the Bahamas for a matchup against No. 16 Indiana on Wednesday as part of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Meanwhile, Winthrop will return home to face Long Island University on Monday.