Russ Smith scored 23 points off the bench and Gorgui Dieng recorded his fifth straight double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds as No. 4 Louisville survived a test from visiting Western Kentucky 70-60 on Friday.

Kyle Kuric added 15 points for the Cardinals (12-0), who remain one of six undefeated teams in the country.

Louisville barely defeated College of Charleston earlier in the week and struggled with another mid-major in the Hilltoppers, who raced out to a 22-9 lead midway through the first half.

An 18-4 burst to close the half gave Louisville the lead back, 37-34, heading into the locker room.

Western Kentucky (4-9) was not about to roll over and came out of the break strong. Vinny Zollo buried a 3-pointer to cap a 10-0 run to start the half and put the Hilltoppers back on top.

The Cardinals did not lead again until Smith nailed a 3-pointer with 6:53 on the clock, giving them a 52-50 edge. That came at the start of a 14-0 run that gave Louisville an 11-point lead.

Western Kentucky had one last push in it, but the Cardinals went 9-of-11 from the free throw line in the final 1:02 to seal it.