A series of thrilling encounters unfolded in women's college basketball, showcasing remarkable performances and unexpected outcomes. Ninth-ranked Louisville, propelled by Imari Berry's exceptional scoring, clinched a hard-fought overtime win against North Carolina State. Elsewhere, second-ranked South Carolina asserted its dominance with a commanding victory over Coppin State. The day also witnessed significant upsets, as Georgia overcame sixteenth-ranked Ole Miss, and Oklahoma State delivered a decisive defeat to nineteenth-ranked Iowa State, illustrating the competitive nature of the collegiate basketball landscape.
In a nail-biting contest on Sunday in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Louisville Cardinals, ranked ninth nationally, extended their impressive winning streak to eleven games. The team’s star guard, Imari Berry, was instrumental in their 88-80 overtime triumph against North Carolina State. Berry not only achieved a personal best with 33 points but also grabbed 12 rebounds, showcasing her all-around impact. Her clutch plays in the closing moments of regulation were pivotal, including a three-pointer with 41 seconds remaining and two crucial free throws with just 10.5 seconds left, which ultimately forced the game into overtime with the score tied at 74-74. Skylar Jones also made significant contributions for the Cardinals, who now boast an 18-3 season record and an unblemished 8-0 standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The North Carolina State Wolfpack, despite strong performances from Khamil Pierre, who notched 26 points, and Zamareya Jones, who added 20 points, including 11 in the first quarter, were unable to maintain their lead. The Wolfpack had established an 31-20 advantage in the second quarter but experienced a scoring drought for nearly five minutes, allowing Louisville to narrow the gap. As the game spilled into overtime, Berry's crucial layup propelled Louisville into a lead they would not relinquish. Mackenly Randolph further solidified their position with a three-pointer and a fastbreak layup, sealing the dramatic victory.
Meanwhile, second-ranked South Carolina showcased its formidable strength with a resounding 90-48 non-conference win over Coppin State in Baltimore. Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks' offensive charge with an impressive 26 points on 12-for-16 shooting from the field. Teammates Tessa Johnson and Ta'Niya Latson also contributed significantly with 17 and 15 points, respectively. South Carolina's efficient shooting, hitting 51.5% of their attempts, and a dominant 20-3 run at the start of the second quarter, which built a commanding 44-19 halftime lead, underlined their superior performance. Coppin State struggled with 30 turnovers and a 32.2% shooting accuracy, despite a 38-37 rebounding edge, with Khila Morris leading their scoring with 20 points.
In other notable results, Georgia delivered a significant upset, defeating sixteenth-ranked Ole Miss 82-59 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) game held in Athens, Georgia. Dani Carnegie was the standout player for the Bulldogs, achieving career highs of 32 points and 11 rebounds. Trinity Turner also played a crucial role with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. This victory was particularly sweet for Georgia, as it avenged an earlier 17-point loss to Ole Miss. Carnegie, a transfer from Georgia Tech, was exceptional from beyond the arc, making five of Georgia's eight three-pointers and scoring 16 of the team's first 32 points. For Ole Miss, Christeen Iwuala and Sira Thienou were the main contributors with 13 and 12 points, respectively, but their 30% shooting from the floor proved to be their undoing.
Adding to the day's excitement, Oklahoma State orchestrated a dominant 86-58 rout of nineteenth-ranked Iowa State in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Stailee Heard's exceptional triple-double performance, featuring 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, was the catalyst for the Cowgirls' decisive win. Haleigh Timmer, Micah Gray, and Lena Girardi also provided significant scoring support. Oklahoma State's explosive 30-point second quarter propelled them to a substantial 43-21 halftime lead, which further expanded to 66-35 by the end of the third quarter. Iowa State struggled with its three-point shooting, converting only 5 of 17 attempts, and was plagued by 17 turnovers, with Audi Crooks and Jada Williams each scoring 15 points in a losing effort.
Across the collegiate women's basketball landscape, Sunday's games provided a blend of thrilling overtime finishes, dominant displays, and impactful upsets, underscoring the unpredictable and competitive nature of the sport as teams continue to vie for conference and national recognition.