#16 NC State Falls 68-63 to Rhode Island at Home (Box Score, Notes & Highlights)

#16 NC State (3-3) fell 68-63 to Rhode Island (6-1) at home in Reynolds Coliseum this afternoon. The Box Score is below, with notes underneath.

Notes

• For starters, the Wolfpack has to learn to value the basketball. The Pack committed 16 turnovers this afternoon, after turning the ball over 21 times against Coastal Carolina on Wednesday.
  • • Fortunately Rhode Island wasn’t very effective at capitalizing on NC State’s mistakes, scoring only 11 points off of turnovers. The Wolfpack scored 11 points off of the Rams’ 12 turnovers.
• NC State made 85.7% of their free throw attempts, but they only shot 7!
  • 7 free throw attempts isn’t a recipe for many victories.
  • The Wolfpack entered the game averaging only 13.6 free throw attempts per game, which ranked 16th in the ACC.
• Despite trailing for most of the game (Rhode Island led for 23:34 minutes, compared to the Wolfpack’s 11:05), NC State had every chance to win this game.
  • After trailing by 3 at the half, the Pack took a 2-point lead on a Maddie Cox free throw with 2:10 left in the 4th Quarter. Unfortunately, NC State wouldn’t score another point the rest of the way, while the Rams would respond with a 7-0 run.
• The Wolfpack allowed Rhode Island to shoot 49.1% from the field this afternoon. The Pack shot 43.1%.
  • NC State’s shooting percentage was their 2nd best shooting performance of the season (that’s not good), but the Rams’ 49.1% field goal percentage is the highest by an opponent this year.
  • Entering the game, the Wolfpack was holding opponents to 36.3% shooting from the field, which ranked 8th in the conference.
  • Only 5 opponents shot 49.1% or better against NC State last season.
• Only two NC State players scored in double figures.
  • Sophomore Guard Zam Jones led the way with 17 points on 7 of 18 shooting from the field.
  • Junior Forward Khamil Pierre chipped in 14 points on 7 of 12 shooting.
    • Her 8 rebounds tied for the team lead.

NC State will try to right their wrongs before Thursday, when they will play Green Bay in the Cancun Challenge.