ESPN Men's Basketball

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Derrick Caracter scored 17 points and Terrence Williams flirted with his third triple-double of the season with eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Louisville beat St. John's 67-57 Saturday.

Jerry Smith added 15 points for the Cardinals (15-5, 5-2 Big East), who held St. John's to 32 percent shooting while sending the Red Storm (7-11, 1-6) to their fifth straight loss.

Anthony Mason Jr. led St. John's, tying a career high with 29 points, but received little help from his teammates. Mason Jr. made 10-of-21 field goals, including 7-of-11 3-pointers while the rest of the team went just 7-of-32 from the field.

The Cardinals never trailed but let one of the Big East's worst teams stick around well into the second half. Louisville led by as many as 15 in the first half, but Mason Jr. and some lethargic play by the Cardinals allowed the Red Storm to creep within 41-34 with just over 13 minutes left.

The Cardinals responded with a 16-1 burst, highlighted by the play of Caracter, who converted a pair of three-point plays during the run. Setting up in the left block, he spun to the middle and hit a baby hook while getting fouled. A minute later, Caracter took a fullcourt pass from Williams, caught the ball in the lane then flipped up a shot toward the rim while absorbing a hard foul.

The normally reserved Caracter clapped his hands while he made his way to the foul line as Freedom Hall roared. The free throw gave Louisville a 56-35 lead with 8:30 to go as Louisville won for the fifth time in six games.