With 30 seconds to play, two seconds to shoot, and the score tied at 68, Chris Mack turned to Matt Cross.
The U of L head coach drew up a risky out of bounds play that involved a pass from in front of the Cardinal bench all the way across the court to the left corner. Dre Davis did his part, delivering a perfectly placed overhead pass to Cross, who was able to catch, set his feet, and stun the home crowd inside PNC Arena by ripping the net and putting Louisville ahead by three.
After NC State’s Cam Hayes failed to answer on the other end, Jarrod West hit a pair of free-throws to lock up a 73-68 Cardinal victory over NC State in the first ACC game for both teams.