Delk sparks Louisville off bench in 96-66 rout over Arkansas

Delk spurs Louisville past Arkansas 96-66

ST. LOUIS — Reginald Delk scored 20 points in a reserve role to double his previous career high and sparked key surges in both halves, helping No. 20 Louisville open with a 96-66 victory over depleted Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Showcase on Tuesday night.

Jared Swopshire added 10 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double and Rick Pitino easily bested one of his former players, John Pelphrey, to win in his 750th career game. Pelphrey played for Pitino at Kentucky from 1989-92, but is severely short-handed after suspending five players indefinitely — including three who were identified but not charged in a rape complaint.

Rotnei Clarke had 16 points for Arkansas (1-1), four days after scoring an SEC-record 51 points with 13 3-pointers in the opener against Alcorn State. Marshawn Powell had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Razorbacks, who have just six scholarship players.

Delk, who scored his 20 points in 22 minutes, totaled 44 points in 28 games last season, his first at Louisville after transferring from Mississippi State, with a high of 10 points against DePaul. He had a pair of 3-pointers in the final 4½ minutes of the first half as the Cardinals outscored Arkansas 20-5 and seemingly took control with a 48-31 cushion.

Arkansas scored 14 straight points to open the second half while Louisville was 0-for-6, cutting the deficit to 48-45. The Cardinals answered with 10 straight points, seven from Delk, and pulled away from there.

Louisville was 15 for 38 from 3-point range — three off last season’s best for 3-pointers made — behind Delk (4 for 5), Preston Knowles (3-for-5) and Jerry Smith (4-for-10). Samardo Samuels added 17 points for the Cardinals, who have won six straight openers and 15 of 17.