by C.L. Brown, USA TODAY Sports

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS — The University of Louisville took the stage against Northern Iowa in Imperial Arena, which is also known as Imperial Ballroom, site of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant.

The second ranked Cardinals’ offensively were far removed from a beauty contest. Despite shooting just 30 percent from the field and committing a season-high 20 turnovers, the Cards turned back the Panthers 51-46 on Thursday night.

U of L (4-0) never scored at will, but by the time Luke Hancock made a 3-pointer the lead had expanded to 40-22 with 11:55 left and the Panthers looked done.

But they chipped away by keeping the Cards in a five-minute scoring drought.

Their defense doubled center Gorgui Dieng every time he got the ball in the post. They also packed in their defenders, allowing the Cards to shoot whatever they wanted form the outside.

UNI (3-1) solved its fatigue problem by inserting Nate Buss in the lineup. The 6-foot-9 sophomore forward did not play in the first half, but came off the bench to ignite the Panthers. His first jumper ended their scoring drought.

By the time he had made his second 3-pointers during a 17-2 run, he’d pulled the Panthers within 42-39 with 4:17 left.

The Panthers even came within a point, but the Cards held them off. Dieng scored a basket and a free throw from Hancock gave them a little wiggle room.

Leading by two, Peyton Siva missed a drive and Buss grabbed the rebound. But Chane Behanan and Dieng managed to get tie the ball up and the alternating possession gave U of L the ball back.

Russ Smith completed a three-point play with five seconds left to finish the Panthers, but it was far from pretty.

Judge for yourself from their first half stat lines from the field:

Wayne Blackshear 1-for-6. Russ Smith 2-for-8. Peyton Siva 2-for-7. Behanan 0-for-3. Montrezl Harrell was 2-for-3 – but that included a banked in jumper from the free throw line.

It wasn’t much better in the second half, but fortunately for the Cards, their defense made things just as ugly for the Panthers on offense. UNI, which entered the game averaging 51 … [For more on Louisville scrapes together offense vs. Northern Iowa, click here.]