NC State Basketball
NC State Women’s Basketball Defeats Maine in the 1st Rd of the NCAA, 63-51
The #3 seed NC State Women’s Basketball team (27-5) won their 1st round game of the NCAA Tournament yesterday for the 3rd year in a row, defeating 14-seed Maine 63-51.
It’s worth noting that the last time the Wolfpack defeated Maine in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament, they ended up in the Final Four (losing to Louisiana Tech in the Semifinals).
Redshirt Graduate Senior Kiara Leslie led the Pack in scoring with 20 points (8-15 FG/3-7 3PT), accompanied by 6 rebounds. Freshman Elissa Cunane and Sophomore Kai Crutchfield also joined Leslie in double-figures, scoring 16 and 14 respectively. Cunane also led the team with 9 rebounds, and Crutchfield made three shots from beyond the arch like Leslie.
The Wolfpack shot an impressive 46.2% from the field for the game, and held Maine to 33.9%.
NC State has 27 wins for the first time since the 1990-91 season (27-6), marking only the 5th time in school history the Lady Wolfpack have done so. Back in 1977-78, the benchmark was set with 29 wins (29-5). That team, led by Kay Yow, finished the season ranked 3rd nationally.
NC State (ranked 10th nationally) will host #6 seed Kentucky (#17) on Monday night at 7pm in Reynolds Coliseum.
The last time Kentucky played in Reynolds Coliseum, current NC State Athletic Director Debbie Yow was the head coach of the Wildcats.
Last time Kentucky women played at Reynolds Coliseum, 1980 AIAW postseason National Tournament, before joining the NCAA in 1981. This time, I am pulling for State as their AD, not coaching UK. All other times I wish UK success! pic.twitter.com/PngzbPNdeW
— #1 state fan (@gopacknow) March 19, 2019