Thomas' layup with 4 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 60-all and sent it to overtime after Louisville held the lead for 35 of 40 minutes. In overtime, another layup by Thomas moved the Blue Devils (24-8) ahead to stay, and Riley Nelson put the game away when she buried a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left.
The Duke Blue Devils (13-6) aim to continue a five-game road winning streak when they visit the Pittsburgh Panthers (8-13) on January 24, 2026. On Thursday, in its most recent game, Pittsburgh lost to Virginia 84-46. With 13 points, Theresa Hagans Jr. was its high scorer. Duke won its most recent game versus Georgia Tech, 93-46, on Sunday. Riley Nelson starred with 23 points, plus four boards and three assists.
Diaz said Sunday that Duke "absolutely" belongs in the title game thanks to a 6-2 conference record and that, if the Blue Devils win Saturday, they should one of the five highest-ranked conference champions and receive a berth in the playoff.
"You see in sports things like that happen -- there's just something where you rally around each other," West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg told ESPNU after the game. "I'm so proud of that group of five. I guess it's one of those moments where you don't really know what to say. But that's as good a win as I've probably ever had."
The Blue Devils were 1-2 after losses to Illinois and Tulane but responded with victories over NC State and Syracuse to open ACC play. Quarterback Darian Mensah, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Tulane, leads the ACC with 1,573 passing yards (329.3 per game) and 13 touchdowns. He has just two interceptions. Mensah's favorite target is wide receiver Cooper Barkate, a graduate student and Harvard transfer who averages 19.5 yards for each of his 21 catches.
BERKELEY After three decisive victories, an unexpected defeat and a come-from-behind road win to open ACC play, Cal faces a potent Duke team on Saturday night, hoping to improve to 5-1 for the first time in 10 seasons. We've seen some stretches of good football, Cal coach Justin Wilcox said. Now it's about: What does our best look like? That's what we need to find out. We're going to have to play our best this weekend.
