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.