LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Anas Mahmoud established the post presence that No. 14 Louisville needed against Duke before teammates began chipping in timely baskets and making stops.
The Cardinals' inside-outside combination on both ends culminated in a strong finish that put away the seventh-ranked Blue Devils.
Mahmoud had career highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds, Donovan Mitchell added 15 points and Louisville shot 59 percent in the second half to top Duke 78-69 on Saturday.
No contribution was too small for Louisville against Duke and fiery guard Grayson Allen-who shook off constant booing from the red-clad crowd to keep the Blue Devils on the cusp of making a game-changing run. But the Cardinals' accuracy came up big.
Duke had outshot Louisville much of the game, but the Cardinals had the hotter hands after halftime in making 17 of 29 from the field to gain the edge as the Blue Devils shot 48 percent. Mitchell had the touch from beyond the arc, making consecutive 3s while scoring 10 second-half points during a stretch that resulted in a 69-60 lead with 4:03 left.
"We just moved the ball, we weren't afraid," said Mitchell, who left the game early in the second half with a left ankle injury while guarding Allen but returned to make critical baskets.
Mahmoud soon followed with a put-back dunk and two free throws around Quentin Snider's 3 as the Cardinals (15-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) won their third in a row. Snider had 13 points, six of Louisville's 16 assists and three steals. The Cardinals forced 18 turnovers.
Allen had 23 points and nine rebounds as the Blue Devils (14-4, 2-3) lost their second in a row this week without injured forward Amile Jefferson (foot). Luke Kennard added 17 points.
THE BIG PICTURE
Duke: The Blue Devils led for most of the first half before allowing Louisville to take the lead with 5 minutes remaining for a 34-30 edge at the break. Despite staying close for behind nine straight points by Allen, they struggled to prevent a series of small Cardinal runs that put the game away.
Louisville: The Cardinals finished even with Duke from the field (47 percent) and on the boards (32-32) but controlled the paint 36-26. Mahmoud's movement was a big help down low, and Ray Spalding contributed 11 points.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Duke's second straight loss, even on the road to a ranked foe, could drop them out of the Top 10. Louisville move closer to the Top 10 with the win.
UP NEXT
Duke: Gets some down time before hosting Miami on Jan. 21 and North Carolina State two days later.
Louisville: Hosts Clemson on Thursday night before visiting No. 9 Florida State on Jan. 21.