Deng Adel's 20 points helped Louisville beat NKU 66-58 Tuesday night in the first round of the NIT at the KFC Yum! Center.

Down 30-23 at halftime, Louisville erased that deficit and then some, pushing ahead 45-44 by the end of the 3rd Quarter and out-scoring NKU 21-14 in the final quarter.

Louisville's defense won the day in the second half as the Cardinals forced 14 Norse turnovers and limited NKU to just 34 percent shooting. NKU was 5 of 28 shooting from beyond-the-arc, and Louisville finished the game with a 16-9 advantage at the free throw line and a 25-9 advantage in bench points.

In addition to Adel's 20 ponts, the Cardinals also got 10 points from reserve Ryan McMahon, eight from reserve Darius Perry and Ray Spalding had seven points, 13 rebounds, four blocks, three steals and two assists.

The Cardinals advance to the second round of the NIT where they will play the winner of Vermont and MTSU. That game is expected to be Saturday evening at the KFC Yum! Center.