Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Earl Clark's putback bucket with 2:28 left in the game gave Louisville the lead, as the 12th-ranked Cardinals narrowly escaped a stiff challenge from Miami-Ohio, winning 47-44 at Freedom Hall.

Clark followed with another layup, but Kenny Hayes' jumper brought Miami-Ohio back within 45-44 with 1:15 left on the clock. A missed jumper from Derrick Caracter gave the Redhawks a chance to regain the lead with 32.2 seconds remaining, but Louisville stepped up on the defensive end and all Miami-Ohio could muster was a highly contested Michael Bramos jumper.

The Cardinals collected the rebound and Edgar Sosa hit two clutch free throws with 3.3 seconds remaining. Louisville then sealed the win by intercepting the ensuing inbounds pass.

Caracter and Terrence Williams each scored 12 points while Clark posted 10 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for Louisville (5-1), which was idle for a full week since beating Old Dominion last Saturday.

Tim Pollitz scored half of Miami-Ohio's points, pouring in 22 to go along with eight rebounds. Hayes was the only other player in double figures with 11 points for the Redhawks (3-3), whose three losses have come by a combined eight points.

Thanks to two late free throws by Hayes, Miami-Ohio carried a 22-21 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Louisville went up 39-33 in the second half on a Jerry Smith three-pointer, but the Redhawks answered with seven straight points to take the lead with just under five minutes to play.