LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Brandon Jenkins and Terrence Williams

made sure Taquan Dean's slump wouldn't stop Louisville's domination

of the Billy Minardi Classic.

Jenkins scored 13 points on his way to earning MVP honors and

Williams led the Cardinals (No. 10 ESPN/USA Today; No. 11 AP) with 16 points and eight

rebounds in a 78-63 victory over the College of Charleston to win

the tournament they host for the fourth time in as many years.

Though Dean continued to struggle, going 2-of-11 from the field,

the Cardinals (8-1) won their 11th straight game at Freedom Hall

behind the steady Jenkins and the high-flying Williams.

After the Cougars (4-4) pulled within 46-42 with 11:20 to play,

Jenkins, Williams and Andre McGee combined for 16 points in a

frantic 21-5 run that Williams capped with a steal and breakaway

dunk.

"I just want to do whatever Coach wants me to, play nine

minutes or play 20 minutes," Williams said. "I'm happy with the

way I played. It's the best overall game for this team. I think we

played better defense tonight."

Dontaye Draper led Charleston with 16 points and Josh Jackson

added 13. The Cougars outrebounded Louisville 37-33 but allowed the

Cardinals to shoot 54 percent in the second half.

"They had some guys really step up for them," Charleston coach

Tom Herrion said. "They shot the ball extremely well. Inevitably,

I thought the 3-point shot beat us tonight."

Williams led the way, going 4-of-6 from 3-point range while

mixing in a handful of acrobatic drives to the basket.

"My teammates were giving me the ball and I was open, it was

just like I do in practice," Williams said. "Coach (Rick) Pitino

tells us to shoot, his exact words are 'Just bust it."

The points were nice, but Pitino said he's more pleased with his

team's defense. The Cardinals were exposed in a loss at Kentucky

last Saturday and played poorly in the second half of a win over

Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday.

"I think we could be a good offensive team, but we just have to

be a good defensive team, that's how you win on the road," Pitino

said. "It's going to take some time. We're a work in progress, but

I think we're making headway in that area."

For the better part of two seasons Jenkins has considered

himself the tone-setter on defense. Now it seems his offense is

catching up. One night after posting a career-high 20 points, he

followed it with 33 efficient minutes, going 6-of-10 from the field

and handing out four assists.

"It comes with practice," Jenkins said. "I just take the ball

to the middle of the floor. Coach says to take it to the E in the

Big East sign (in the lane) or I can make the extra pass. Coach

says, 'Think score first and the pass will come."

The Cardinals began the game with the kind of sustained

defensive intensity Pitino has been pleading for the last two

weeks. Louisville contested shots, rebounded and ran the floor

while building a 26-11 lead.

When the Louisville slowed down to catch its breath, Charleston

caught up. Renardo Dickerson hit a jumper to end an 8-minute field

goal drought and start a 12-3 run by the Cougars, who drew within

29-23 with 2:49 to go in the half.

Dean, just 8-of-27 from the field over his last two games, tried

to put the Cardinals back in control before halftime, but nothing

worked. During one possession late in the half he airballed a

3-pointer and had another shot blocked.

His night didn't get any better in the second half. Dean

collided with center David Padgett while going for a rebound and

was on the floor for a minute before slowly pulling himself up. He

stayed in the game, but labored the rest of the way.

"He was a little banged up tonight and I think he's just

pressing a little bit because he's banged up," Pitino said.

"He'll be fine. He's just got to use his offense to get up his

shots."