With the victory, Louisville improved to 2-1 overall, and 2-0 at home. Sacramento State, which is in the midst of a seven-game stretch that will see the team play six times on the road, dropped to 4-5 overall and 1-4 on the road.

Louisville led from start to finish, jumping out to an 8-0 lead a little over three minutes into the game. The Hornets closed to within, 8-5, on a jumper from freshman Alonzo Young and a three-pointer from sophomore Loren Leath, but that was as close as Sacramento State would get the rest of the night.

Louisville, which shot 56.9 percent (37-65) from the field and 53.3 percent (8-15) from the three-point line, led 52-25 at halftime, and cruised the rest of the way. The Cardinals led by at least 24 points during the entire second half before settling for the 30-point victory.

Palocios also had 10 rebounds to go with his 16 points, and Sosa added a game-high seven steals to go with his 16 points. Joining the pair with double-figure points for Louisville were Jerry Smith (15), Brandon Jenkins (13) and Earl Clark (10).

Sacramento State forced Louisville into 17 turnovers, but shot just 36.4 percent (24-66) from the field and 23.5 percent (4-17) from beyond the three-point line. The Hornets went to the free throw line 28 times, but converted just 17 of the freebies (.607).

Sacramento State senior forward Alex Bausley posted a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds, while Leath added 11 points and junior Davon Roberts had a career-high 11 points. Roberts (3-for-5) and junior Jason Davis (eight points, four rebounds, 3-of-6 shooting) were the only Hornets to shoot at least .500 from the field. Young finished with seven points and four rebounds, and junior Roderick Adams had a team-high four steals.

The Hornets return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 6, as they host Pacific at 7:05 p.m. The Hornets and Tigers will be playing for the first time since the 1998-99 season. The game against Pacific marks the only time the Hornets will be playing at home during the entire month of December.