Filed under: Connecticut, Louisville, Big East
STORRS, Conn. -- Rick Pitino has been with his Louisville basketball team every step of the way this season, but you get the impression he is having a hard time comprehending the comeback ability of the Cardinals. He did everything but rub his eyes in disbelief Saturday after Louisville rallied from a nine-point, second-half deficit to upset No. 5 Connecticut, 79-78, in double overtime at Gampel Pavilion.
It really was something to see. And it's safe to say Kemba Walker, a candidate for national player of the year, and the rest of the Huskies wish they had never witnessed it.
"It was a gutty performance," Pitino said. "I can't say enough about our guys. I thought I saw it all with Marquette, saw it all with the last game (against West Virginia). But this game, to me, is the capper of the season for us right now."
Against Marquette on Jan. 15, Louisville rallied from an 18-point deficit with 5:44 remaining to win, 71-70. Three days ago, the Cardinals trailed West Virginia by 12 in the second half and won 55-54 on Peyton Siva's driving scoop shot off the glass with 4.5 seconds remaining.
Now, No. 23 Louisville (17-4, 6-2) has moved into sole possession of second place in the Big East. And Siva, a 5-foot-11 sophomore guard, was in the middle of everything again -- especially the UConn defense, which couldn't stop him from getting to the rim at the end of the game.
Siva led Louisville with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Those numbers are important, but the thing people will remember are the easy baskets he scored. Siva's layup with 29 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 59-59. His stunning and forceful dunk forced the second overtime. Then he got into the lane for two more driving layups in the second overtime.
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