LOUISVILLE — Jared Swopshire scored 14 points and Louisville defeated St. John’s 75-68 on Saturday.

The Cardinals (12-4, 3-0 Big East) and the Red Storm (10-5, 0-3) were forced to grind the first half out due to sloppy ball-handling and poor shooting. Both teams were able to sustain small runs, with Dwight Hardy’s 3-pointer at the buzzer to give St. Johns a 32-28 halftime lead.

Louisville shot 33 percent (10-for-30) in the first half, including 16 percent (2-for-12) from 3-point range. The Red Storm managed to shoot 39 percent (11-for-28).

The second half was played close until a 12-1 run by the Cardinals with midway through the second half gave Louisville a 58-46 lead at the 7:51 mark. St. Johns would mount a late rally to close the final scoring margin to seven.

Jerry Smith led the Cardinals with 16 points.

D.J. Kennedy led all scorers with 20 points for the Red Storm.