Mikel Brown Jr Shatters ACC Freshman Scoring Record as Louisville Overwhelms NC State 118 77 in Statement Win

LOUISVILLE Ky. delivered one of its most dominant performances of the season Monday night as freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr erupted for a historic 45 points to power No. 24 Louisville past NC State 118-77 at the KFC Yum Center in a breaking update that reshaped the Atlantic Coast Conference conversation.

Brown drilled 10 three pointers and set a new ACC freshman single game scoring record, surpassing the previous mark of 42 set last season by Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. His 45 point night also tied Louisville legend and Hall of Famer Wes Unseld for the most points ever scored in a single game by a Cardinal, a benchmark that had stood since December 1 1967. The performance came in front of an announced crowd of 14,389 and marked the most prolific scoring night by a Louisville freshman in program history.

Returning to form after missing time earlier this season with a lower back injury, Brown showed no signs of limitation. He scored 21 points in the first half on five made three pointers, then surged past LaBradford Smith’s longstanding Louisville freshman record of 32 points midway through the second half. His record tying three pointer came with 2 minutes and 9 seconds remaining, drawing a prolonged ovation as the outcome was already well in hand.

Brown finished 14 of 23 from the field and 10 of 16 from beyond the arc, both career bests. The outing eclipsed his previous high of 29 points against Kentucky in November and represented a major step forward in his latest timeline as he continues to adjust following his return to the lineup.

Louisville’s offense was relentless throughout the night. The Cardinals shot 60 percent overall, including 18 made three pointers on 30 attempts, tying their second highest single game total this season. Louisville opened the game shooting 58 percent in the first half and never allowed NC State to gain traction, steadily extending the margin after the break.

Ryan Conwell added 31 points on 10 of 14 shooting and 5 of 6 from three point range, providing a consistent secondary scoring threat that further stretched the Wolfpack defense. Louisville improved to 18 and 6 overall and 8 and 4 in ACC play, strengthening its postseason outlook and reinforcing its growing offensive identity as conference play intensifies.

NC State entered the matchup riding a six game winning streak and unbeaten in ACC road games, but struggled to match Louisville’s pace and perimeter efficiency. Ven Allen Lubin scored 20 points and Tre Holloman added 19 for the Wolfpack, who fell to 18 and 7 overall and 9 and 3 in conference play. NC State shot 41 percent from the field and just 18 percent from three point range, a sharp contrast to its recent offensive form.

The impact of the result extends beyond the box score. Louisville’s latest statement win underscores its upward trajectory in the ACC standings while highlighting Brown’s emergence as one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. For NC State, the loss serves as a reset moment as the Wolfpack recalibrate following their first conference road defeat of the season.

What happens next is clear on the schedule. NC State returns home to host Miami on Saturday as it looks to reestablish momentum.

Louisville travels to Fort Worth Texas for a nonconference showdown against Baylor on Saturday, a matchup that will further test the Cardinals’ consistency and national positioning as the season moves forward.