LOUISVILLE, Ky. — No. 1 Pittsburgh’s perfect run is over.
Earl Clark had 16 points and 11 rebounds on his 21st birthday to lead No. 20 Louisville to a 69-63 victory over the Panthers on Saturday night.
Terrence Williams had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists and the Cardinals (13-3, 4-0 Big East) held the Panthers (16-1, 4-1) to just one field goal over the last eight minutes to win their fifth straight game and stake a claim as the best team in the nation’s best conference.
Jermaine Dixon had a career-high 19 points but missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 1:25 remaining and the Panthers trailing by four points. Sam Young added 14 points for Pittsburgh.
The win was Louisville’s first over a No. 1-ranked team since beating Florida on Dec. 13, 2003.
Clark capped a stirring second-half rally by hitting a jumper from the top of the key with 45 seconds left and Louisville made enough free throws to make it hold up. The Cardinals celebrated by dancing their way off the court as the crowd serenaded Clark with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The party may just be beginning for Louisville, which is starting to play like the team ranked No. 3 in the preseason.
The Panthers had risen to the top spot in the rankings for the first time in school history behind 16 straight dominant but largely anonymous wins. Pittsburgh missed a chance to add a little quality to its quantity thanks to a nightmarish final 8:48 when a 55-45 lead evaporated.
The win capped a thrilling week for the Cards, who beat No. 13 Notre Dame 87-73 in overtime Monday.
