BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – On its 12th try, Louisville finally made it out of the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Angel McCoughtry scored 24 and the Cardinals (26-9) beat Kansas State 80-63 Tuesday to advance to the regional semifinals.

Candyce Bingham added 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Cardinals, who have won 13 of their last 15 games. Louisville will play either Georgia or North Carolina in New Orleans. Chauntise Wright added 13 points.

Ashley Sweat had 16 points and reserve Kelsey Nelson added 12 to lead Kansas State (22-10).

The Big 12 regular-season champions were playing their second game without star Kimberly Dietz, who hurt her knee in the Wildcats’ loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament. Nelson, a virtual unknown before the tournament, tried to fill the void: The junior, who scored 23 points all season, had 20 points off the bench to help the Wildcats beat Chattanooga in the first round.

But Louisville has just too much size and strength for the Wildcats.

The Cardinals won the rebounding battle, 37-22, scoring 40 points in the paint while holding Kansas State to 20.

AP-ES-03-25-08 2114EDT