At the end of the first half, a far from disconsolate band of Louisville Cardinals, energized and focused, led the visiting Clemson Tigers by a penny, 28-27.
In the opening stanza, the Cards — count along if you like — attempted 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 shots from beyond the arc.
They netted nil.
Or, to speak American, none.
Yet They still led at the break. But the 2d opened inauspiciously. The visitors tallied on the opening possession. Jae’Lyn Withers made it 0/11 from Treyville. Clemson scored again, after Dre Davis committed his third personal and had to be pulled.