Late Night Snacks: Louisville snaps the losing streak, Grambling stays winless

Jan 29, 2013, 12:02 AM EDT

Getty Images

A decent slate of games on Monday night. Three Top 25 teams, a full slate of SWAC and MEAC games and the premiere teams in the Big 12 and Big East pull out wins. Enjoy to briefing, it’s Late Night Snacks.

Game of the night

No. 13 Louisville 64, Pittsburgh 61 - The Cardinals hadn’t won since being ranked no. 1. Pittsburgh has been surprisingly good over the past few weeks. It was an ugly game, but the Panthers going 3-for-12 from the free throw line and Louisville hitting 13-of-17 from the same place turned out to be the difference.

Games of note

No. 2 Kansas 61, West Virginia 56 – In the first-ever meeting between the two schools, the Jayhawks got out to an early lead thanks to offensive struggles by the Mountaineers, which earned Aaric Murray an early benching from coach Bob Huggins. WVU mounted a late charge, but it wasn’t enough.

No. 25 Marquette 63, South Florida 50 – Well, this time, no one had to deal with any bats, so things were comfortable. Vander Blue had a huge night (see below) and Marquette cruised late to keep itself ranked for another day.

Mississippi Valley State 65, Grambling State 50 – This might be the Tigers best chance at a win all season, playing a two-win Delta Devils team. It just wasn’t to be. Grambling shot 42.9-percent, but turned the ball over 20 times.

Starred

Vander Blue, Marquette – It was one of those nights that Blue couldn’t miss. Blue was 13-for-20 from the field for 30 points in the Golden Eagles win. Let’s just say it…. YOU’RE MY BOY, BLUE!

Gorgui Dieng, Louisville – Finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds as the Cardinals got back into the win column. He also hit two free throws with less than a minute left to help seal the win at home.

Jeff Withey, Kansas – He had another solid night and has proven to be the most consistent player for the Jayhawks. The fifth-year senior finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, including one that preserved a five-point lead late in the game.

Damien Lee, Drexel – There was no Franz Massanet magic on Monday night, with the Dragons falling to Delawar 66-64, but Lee poured in almost half their points with 30 in the loss.

Kevin Mays, Maryland-Eastern Shore – The Hawks lost at Bethune-Cookman 58-57, but Mays provided the silver lining for the one-win UMES with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Struggled

Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, South Florida – He averages 10.3 points per game, he scored three in the loss at Marquette. Got to do more than that to get a win in Milwaukee.

Stuffing the stat sheet

Devon Saddler, Kyle Anderson and Jarvis Threatt, Delaware – The trio did their part to wear out the stat guy in a close win, 66-64 over Drexel. They combined for 37 points, 19 rebounds and 16 assists for the Blue Hens.

One night of good basketball will give way to a better one tomorrow night. Have a good night, folks.

David Harten is the founder of The Backboard Chronicles. Follow him on Twitter at @David_Harten.