The NC State women’s basketball team looks to win its third game in a row on Thursday night when it travels to face the Pittsburgh Panthers.
The Panthers are 10-17 on the year and 2-12 in the ACC, including a four-game losing streak. Their last win came on Feb. 1 against Clemson. Despite their poor record, the Panthers are only outscored by an average of 1.5 points per game. They average 60.2 points per game while allowing 61.7.
Pitt is led by forward Yacine Diop who averages 15.3 points and is tied for the team lead with 6.7 rebounds per game. No other player averages double figure points. Forward Kalista Roberts averages 9.8 points and also averages 6.7 rebounds.
Guard Pika Rodriguez is the best shooter on the team, shooting 41 percent from behind the three-point line. As a team, the Panthers shoot 31.7 percent from deep.
Diop, Roberts and guard Jasmine Whitney are the only players who have started every game. Whitney is averaging 7.4 points and 4.6 assists.
The Pack comes in allowing the fewest points per game in the ACC at 56. NC State will also have a distinct advantage in the rebounding department. The Pack is second in the ACC with a 10.8 rebounding margin advantage. The Panthers are the worst in the ACC, getting outrebounded by 6.5 rebounds per game.
The Pack has balanced scoring as it has all season, with four players averaging double figures. Senior forward Chelsea Nelson, redshirt junior guard Kiara Leslie, sophomore guard Aislinn Konig and senior center Akela Maize all average at least 10 points per game. Nelson is very close to averaging a double-double for the season, with 9.4 rebounds per game.
Redshirt sophomore Kaila Ealey has had a breakout season averaging 8.7 points per game and 4.4 assists, which leads the team. Redshirt junior Armani Hawkins has been an excellent addition to the team, shooting 40 percent on field goals after sitting out the first semester.
This is a crucial game for the Pack, aiming for a double bye in the ACC tournament. NC State is currently tied for third with Florida State, while Duke is half a game behind. However, the Blue Devils have the tie-breaker over the Pack because of head-to-head victories. The Pack travels to Notre Dame for the final game of the season, which is why the Pitt game is so important. NC State will need to either beat Pitt and pull off the road upset of the top-five Fighting Irish or hope Duke loses to UNC-Chapel Hill. The Seminoles face Boston College and Georgia Tech, so it is unlikely they will lose either of those games, which will force the Pack to win both of their remaining games.
The Pack and Panthers will tip off at 7 p.m. from Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
