Women's Basketball
State WBB Wins Big on Senior Day, Beating Pitt 83-53
Even though it was a 4pm Thursday tip-off, emotions were high for State’s women’s basketball team on Senior Day. While Kai Crutchfield and Kayla Jones still have a year of eligibility, both went through the senior traditions “just in case”. Jones even admitting that she’d been crying sporadically throughout the day just thinking about it.
Once the game started, however, it was all business. State jumped out early and never looked back, finishing with a 83-53 win, in the final game at Reynolds Coliseum for the season. In an exact copy of last year’s meeting, State used a 30 point third quarter to ensure plenty of bench players would get minutes in the fourth.
NBA Jams Voiceover: “They’re on Fire!”
What makes State a serious threat, not only for ACC Tournament, but also NCAA tourney? Shooting 61.5% from three-point land and finishing with SIXTEEN, overall. Perez went 4-5 beyond the arch, while Jones and Cunane both ended the game perfect. If State can have this balanced of an attack, they are going to be beyond tough to beat as the calendar flips to March.
While starters and main subs were in the game, the Wolfpack were hitting from everywhere else on the floor. By the end of the third quarter, State was shooting 55% from the field. Perez and Brown-Turner finished with team high 14 points. Overall, eight different Pack players finished with at least five points.
Unreal Defensive Effort
Defensively, State overwhelmed Pitt in every aspect. By the final buzzer, the Pack accounted for a dozen steals (lead by four from Crutchfield) and out rebounded Pitt, who came into the game top-20 in the country. While it wasn’t the expected block party, only one for the game, State ended up forcing 23 Panther turnovers and continually capitalizing on the other end. By holding Pitt to 53 points, it marked the second lowest points total for the Panthers on the season.
Home Court Advantage
With the win, State finishes the season undefeated at Reynolds Coliseum. Furthermore, the average victory margin was over 25 points. Such a shame there couldn’t be rowdy crowds to go along with this amazing run, but it sets up a future where to play in Raleigh, most likely means you leave with an L.
State closes out their 2020-21 campaign on Sunday, with up trip to Syracuse.
The NC State women were a 7 seed, picked to move on over 10-seeded Princeton, but that’s not how it worked out.
The Pack women were plagued by turnovers (20) and Princeton capitalized with a late 3 to clinch the win. Highlight above.
Sad day for NC State all around.
The NC State Women’s Basketball (16-5) team moved up 5 spots in the Week 13 AP Poll, after defeating Notre Dame 69-65 yesterday, who was ranked 7th then, and ranked 9th now.
(ESPN)
ACC Teams in the Week 13 AP Poll
9. Notre Dame
11. UNC
13. Virginia Tech
15. NC State
16. Duke
23. FSU
The Wolfpack’s next game will be on Thursday night on the road at Georgia Tech at 8pm on ACC Network.
#20 NC State picked up a much needed win last night against Miami, defeating the Hurricanes 71-61 in PNC Arena, avoiding a 3-game skid.
Sophomore Guard Saniya Rivers led the pack with 14 points, 6 steals, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
As long as she keeps working, @PackWomensBball Saniya Rivers ( @Ihoop___22 ) is going to be a really fun @wnba player to cover in a few years.
(Until then, I’ll enjoy watching her, @haileyvanlith , NC State & @LouisvilleWBB on ABC Sunday at 1pm et.)— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) January 19, 2023
Seniors Camille Hobby and Mimi Collins both had 11 points.
Sophomore Guard Aziaha James had 10 points, and led the Pack with 6 rebounds.
The Wolfpack was without Jada Boyd and Jessica Timmons last night, and River Baldwin went down with an injury, and will have an MRI tomorrow.
NC State is now 14-5 overall, and 4-4 in ACC play, and will play at Louisville on Sunday at 1pm on ABC.