Imari Berry's Breakout Performance Powers Louisville Past NC State in Overtime Thriller
Down 13 points in the second half, on the road, against a top-tier ACC opponent riding a 16-game home conference win streak? No problem for the No.
9/10 Louisville Cardinals. Behind a career night from freshman sensation Imari Berry, Louisville rallied to knock off NC State 88-80 in overtime on Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, extending its own winning streak to 11 games and staying perfect in ACC play at 8-0.
This one had all the makings of a statement win - and Louisville delivered.
Berry Breaks Out
Imari Berry didn’t just have a good game - she had the game. The freshman guard poured in a career-high 33 points on an efficient 14-for-23 shooting clip, grabbed 12 rebounds, swiped three steals, and dished out a pair of assists.
It was her second career double-double, and the 33 points? The most by any Cardinal this season.
Berry was relentless. She attacked the rim, hit from midrange, and even knocked down a critical three late in regulation.
Her energy and poise were the heartbeat of Louisville’s comeback - and her ability to take over late in quarters was a difference-maker. She scored eight straight to close the third, including a buzzer-beating three that rattled around the rim before falling through, cutting NC State’s lead to just three heading into the fourth.
Skylar Jones Steps Up Late
While Berry was the star, Skylar Jones delivered when it mattered most. Ten of her 17 points came in the fourth quarter, including a clutch three off an offensive rebound and a fast-break layup off a steal from Tajianna Roberts. Jones also grabbed five boards and tied for the team lead in steals with three.
Her fourth-quarter surge helped the Cardinals take their first lead of the game and fend off a late push from the Wolfpack.
A Game of Runs
NC State came out firing, hitting five of their first seven shots to take early control. Louisville struggled from beyond the arc in the opening quarter, going 0-for-5 from deep, and trailed 23-14 after the first.
But the Cards found their footing in the second quarter, especially on the defensive end. They held NC State scoreless for nearly five minutes, clawing their way back into the game and trimming the deficit to five at the half.
The third quarter saw NC State push the lead back to double digits, but Berry’s scoring spree to end the frame gave Louisville life. From there, the fourth quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle.
Down five in the final minute, Louisville needed something special - and Berry delivered again. She buried a three to cut it to two, then calmly sank two free throws after getting fouled in transition to tie the game at 74 and send it to overtime.
Overtime Dominance
Once overtime began, Louisville took control and didn’t let go. Berry opened the scoring with a layup, and the Cards never trailed again. They shot 5-for-8 from the field in the extra period, locked in defensively, and sealed the win with poise and execution.
This was the kind of gritty, resilient performance that separates contenders from the rest. Louisville didn’t blink when things got tough. They leaned on their star freshman, got key contributions from veterans, and walked out of Raleigh with a win that could carry serious weight come March.
What’s Next
Louisville now gets a breather with a bye on Thursday before returning home to face Boston College on Sunday, January 25 at the KFC Yum! Center. The matchup will also mark National Girls & Women in Sports Day and Girl Scout Day - a fitting stage to celebrate a team that continues to rise behind the strength of its young stars and veteran grit.
If Berry’s breakout is a sign of what’s to come, this Louisville team is just getting started.