Breaking Down #10 NC State’s 66-47 Win Over Maine

The 10th-ranked NC State women’s basketball team defeated Maine 66–47 this evening in their home opener, improving to 2–1 on the year.

The Wolfpack didn’t handle business against the Black Bears the way Vegas expected. NC State failed to cover the spread (37.5 points), winning by 19. The game also fell short of expectations offensively, with the teams’ combined 111 points coming in under the 129.5-point total.

The Pack didn’t produce an offensive explosion, but they were dominant nonetheless, leading wire to wire. NC State’s defense paralyzed Maine, holding the Black Bears to 29% shooting from the field and just 19% from three.

The Wolfpack struggled from the floor as well, shooting only 40.3% overall and 15% from beyond the arc (3–20). On a night when shots weren’t falling from deep, they found other ways to score—attacking the paint. The Pack tallied 42 of their 66 points in the paint, outscoring Maine by 20 in that area.

Junior forward Khamil Pierre recorded her third straight double-double to start the season, leading the team with 18 points (8–14 FG) and 10 rebounds.

Junior guard Zoe Brooks nearly added a double-double of her own, finishing with 14 points and 9 rebounds on 4-of-8 shooting.

Sophomore guard Zam Jones was the only other Wolfpack player to reach double figures, contributing 10 points (4–10 FG), 7 rebounds, and a team-high 5 assists.