LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Samardo Samuels posted career highs with 29 points and 15 rebounds as Louisville beat Louisiana-Lafayette 84-69 on Wednesday night.

Kyle Kuric added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench while Preston Knowles had 11 points and five assists as the Cardinals (8-3) won their third straight.

Louisville dominated the paint despite playing without sophomore center Terrence Jennings, who was suspended for the game for violating team rules.

The Cardinals outrebounded the Ragin' Cajuns 48-30 and outscored them 44-10 in the paint.

Chris Gradnigo led Louisiana-Lafayette (4-7) with 23 points and Randell Daigle had 21, but the Ragin' Cajuns ran out of gas after trimming Louisville's lead to 72-63 with 3:33 remaining.