Record-breaking day for Chucky Hepburn as No. 25 Louisville defeats Florida State

[1/24] February 22, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA: In the first half at KFC Yum! Centre, Florida State Seminoles guard Daquan Davis (5) takes a shot against Louisville Cardinals guard Reyne Smith (6). Required…

[3/28] Feb 22, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Chandler Jackson (0) and guard Jamir Watkins (1) double team Louisville Cardinals guard Reyne Smith (6) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie

[4/28] Feb 22, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Chandler Jackson (0) drives to the basket against Louisville Cardinals guard Reyne Smith (6) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

February 22: No. 25 Louisville, led by Chucky Hepburn with 29 points, took an early advantage and maintained it to defeat visiting Florida State 89-81 on Saturday.

Setting a school record by sinking 17 of 19 free throws, the senior guard, who also had five steals, did the majority of his damage from the field. With 4:17 seconds left, he made a 3-pointer to put the Cardinals (21-6, 14-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) ahead 79-64, although he only made two of his eight 3-point attempts.

I issued an executive order prohibiting men from participating in women’s sports two weeks ago.

With 18 points and 11 rebounds, J’Vonne Hadley recorded his seventh double-double of the year, helping Louisville win for the fifth time in a row and for the 15th time in a row.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Louisville led 39-19 after two 8-0 runs and a 7-0 run. The Cardinals shot 60 percent (12-for-20) in the opening 15 minutes, while the Seminoles (16-11, 7-9 ACC) only shot 36.8 percent (7 of 19) and had 10 turnovers. Despite making four of its final five shots in the first half, Florida State was only able to cut the Cardinals’ advantage to 45-31 at the break.

Florida State nailed 10 of their first 16 shots in the second half, continuing their hot hand. With 10:22 left, a jumper by Jerry Deng helped the Seminoles cut the Louisville advantage to 64-58.

Terrence Edwards Jr. and Hepburn each received four fouls as the Seminoles shot 54.4 percent (32-for-59). They were unable to overcome the Cardinals’ 30-for-34 line-up performance, though.

The Louisville advantage never dropped below six points in the second half, and Hepburn, who matched the school record with 16 made free throws on January 1 against North Carolina, went 5-for-6 in the last 1:02.

Malique Ewin finished with 19 points and nine rebounds after going 9 for 10 from the floor, while Jamir Watkins led Florida State with 23 points. Daquan Davis contributed ten more points.

Louisville received 11 points from Reyne Smith and 16 points from Edwards.

–Media at the Field Level