Chris Smith scored 18 points and No. 6 Louisville used a tenacious defensive effort to ward off visiting Long Beach State 79-66 on Monday.

The Cardinals (6-0) scored the first eight points and never trailed, pulling out in front by as many as 16.

The 49ers (3-3) got as close as five in the second half before Smith hit a 3-pointer with 6:15 left, sparking a 9-2 Louisville run that sealed it.

Long Beach State shot 47 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Cardinals 36-31, but the visitors did themselves in with 21 turnovers. Louisville converted those miscues into 27 points.

Chane Benahan had 13 points and seven rebounds, and was one of five Cardinals in double figures. Peyton Siva finished with five of Louisville's 14 steals.

Larry Anderson paced Long Beach State with 17 points.