Shoni Schimmel scores 16 to key Louisville win

Updated: Dec 28, 2011, 03:05 pm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Shoni Schimmel scored 16 points to lead Louisville (No. 13 ESPN/USA Today, No. 14 AP) past Tennessee Martin 70-57 on Wednesday.

Cierra Warren added 14 points for Louisville (12-2, 1-0 Big East) with 10 coming in the second half. Heather Butler led Tennessee Martin (6-6) with 13 points, while Jaclissa Haislip and Perica Glenn each had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Louisville forced 17 first-half turnovers but took only a 35-30 lead into the break.

The Cardinals slowly extended their lead in the second half to 53-40 after two layups by Shawnta' Dyer and four baskets in the post by Cierra Warren.

A steal and layup by Bria Smith gave Louisville a 57-44 lead with 8:21 remaining, but the Skyhawks cut it to single digits on Heather Butler's 3-pointer and Perica Glenn's putback.

Tennessee Martin again cut the lead to eight at 63-55 after Jasmine Newsome's drive and at 65-57 with 1:03 remaining, but failed to score in the final minute.