Jordan Nwora collected 18 points and 11 rebounds to propel No. 11 Louisville to a 72-55 romp past visiting North Carolina on Saturday afternoon.

Malik Williams provided 17 points as the Cardinals (23-5, 14-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) rolled despite attempting only 11 free throws. Louisville has won two in a row following a two-game skid, returning to first place with three games to play. The Cardinals are 16-1 in home games.

Cole Anthony recorded 18 points for the last-place Tar Heels (10-17, 3-13), who have lost seven games in a row -- all since Anthony returned from a knee injury.

North Carolina's loss total matches the second-most in any season in program history. The Tar Heels have four regular-season games remaining plus at least one more in the ACC Tournament.

Louisville scored the last six points of the first half and first 11 of the second half to gain control of the game.

North Carolina played without forward Garrison Brooks (illness) and reserve Justin Pierce (sprained ankle). The Tar Heels have had a rash of losses decided in the final seconds, but this wasn't one of those situations.

Louisville made 9 of 25 shots from 3-point range.

Point guard David Johnson was in the starting lineup for just the second time, and the Louisville freshman racked up nine points and five assists.

The Cardinals built a 24-point lead early in the second half before North Carolina trimmed it to 65-51 with just more than three minutes to play.

The Cardinals made six 3-pointers on the way to a 36-23 halftime lead.

North Carolina didn't get to the free-throw line much either, finishing 7-for-8.

Louisville held a 38-29 rebounding advantage.

Andrew Platek scored nine points off the bench for North Carolina, but other reserves contributed a total of four points.

--Field Level Media