LOUISVILLE 77, WEST VIRGINIA 74: Kyle Kuric scored 17 points and buried a key 3-pointer late as visiting No. 23 Louisville overwhelmed West Virginia down the stretch.

Russ Smith scored 16 points and Chris Smith and Wayne Blackshear added 13 apiece for the Cardinals (20-5, 8-4 Big East), who have won six straight.

The Mountaineers (16-10, 6-7) led by as many as 11 points in the second half and were holding a 71-64 edge after Dominique Rutledge tipped in a miss with 5:51 left.

West Virginia went the next five minutes without a point as the Cardinals took control. Kuric’s corner 3-pointer knotted it at 71-71 and Blackshear stole the ensuing inbounds pass, hitting a slashing Russ Smith for the go-ahead layup.

Louisville forced 11 turnovers and scored off each one, totaling 22 points.

The last miscue came with the Mountaineers trailing 75-74 with 5.5 seconds left. Kuric stole Gary Browne’s pass and hit two free throws, clinching the win.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kevin Jones recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds, but Darryl Bryant was held to 13 points on 3-of-17 shooting for West Virginia … Louisville hosts No. 2 Syracuse on Monday … West Virginia has dropped five of its last six, including three straight at home.