Michigan State's Keith Appling (11) drives between Louisville defenders Gorgui Dieng, left, and Elisha Justice on Thursday, March 22, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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Updated: Thursday, 22 Mar 2012, 10:06 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 22 Mar 2012, 10:06 PM EDT
PHOENIX (AP) — Chane Behanan scored 15 points and Gorgui Dieng anchored Louisville's stifling defense with seven blocked shots, helping the Cardinals knock off top-seeded Michigan State 57-44 Thursday night in the West Regional semifinals.
Louisville (29-9) smothered the NCAA tournament's best-shooting team with its matchup zone, getting good pressure from its guards up top and some big swats by Dieng, one of the nation's top shot-blockers.
The Cardinals relied on 3-point shooting in the first half and went inside the second to befuddle the Spartans, earning a trip to the West final against Marquette or Florida on Saturday.
Michigan State (29-8) started slow and never got going against Louisville's amoebic defense, shooting 28 percent while being outscored 20-14 inside by the leaner Cardinals.
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