College Basketball: Louisville victorious in Big East battle

Russ Smith scored 18 points, Peyton Siva added 14, and No. 12 Louisville shot 52 percent to run away from No. 25 Marquette, 70-51, on Sunday.

The lopsided outcome was somewhat surprising considering what was at stake for both teams in the Big East. Marquette had an opportunity to take a one-game lead on Syracuse, but the Golden Eagles (15-5, 6-2) were left settling for a first-place tie with the Orange.

The Cardinals (18-4, 6-3) moved a half-game closer to both schools with their second straight win, remaining in a four-way tie for third.

Elsewhere: Mackey McKnight scored 21 points and Lehigh (16-5, 6-1) shot 62.1 percent in the first half en route to an 85-76 Patriot League victory over Army (10-12, 3-4) in West Point, N.Y.

Austin Hollins hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 11.6 seconds left, lifting No. 23 Minnesota to a 62-59 win over Iowa in Minneapolis. He finished with 17 points to help the Gophers (17-5, 5-4 Big Ten) survive the scrappy Hawkeyes (14-8, 3-6) and escape with an important win.