NC State’s women’s basketball team defeated No. 29 Georgia Tech on Wednesday night at Reynolds Coliseum 56-43, managing to keep the lead at the end of all four quarters.
The Wolfpack (13-5, 2-3 ACC) had a hard start against the Yellow Jackets (12-6, 1-4 ACC), ending the first two quarters with only a one-point advantage. The Wolfpack dramatically turned the game around in the second half by creating a double-digit point gap. The Pack also beat the Yellow Jackets in rebounding at 43-36.
“Slow start but we hung in there,” head coach Wes Moore said. “We were able to at least salvage a lead at halftime. [I’m] real proud at how they came out in the third period. Played with a lot of energy. The last two years [Georgia Tech] has outrebounded us in double digits so we knew that was going to be an important part of the game. I was proud of their ability to win the rebound battle. Good team effort.”
The Wolfpack started the first two minutes strong and clean. Offensively, the team took its time to set up and find the holes in the defense. On defense, the Pack lived up to its specialty in rebounding and played a solid man-to-man defense.
But after two minutes of clean play, redshirt junior Kiara Leslie caused a turnover followed by senior center Akela Maize’s two consecutive fouls, forcing her to sit on the bench to avoid foul trouble.
Things went downhill for the Wolfpack after that. The Yellow Jackets made post plays extremely difficult by collapsing two defenders. Forcing the Pack to shoot outside the paint was rough on the Pack. The pressure showed as the Pack was quicker to throw up shots without earning any rewards on the scoreboard, barely managing to close out the first quarter leading 10-9.
“Shot selection is a big part of this, when you’re struggling offensively,” Moore said. “We were at times going in there and forcing some things and you have to back it out and be patient.”
Nelson agreed about deciding whether to take the shot or not.
“To make it easier for me, instead of just putting my head down and just trying to attack, I tried to evaluate the floor first,” Nelson said. “And if I got an open drive then I’ll take it and if I don’t, I find an open girl.”
Starting the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets played a defensive zone and press. The pressure from the Yellow Jackets caused some miscommunication on the team as three Wolfpack players tried to grab the rebound causing a turnover and an easy layup for Georgia Tech who then led the game 16-10.
Digging a deeper hole, the Pack was unable to make as many offensive rebounds as Georgia Tech did an effective job boxing out. On top of that, the Yellow Jackets were still able to score and lead the Pack 20-12.
Senior Chelsea Nelson helped to break the drought in shots as she made both her foul shots followed by a made shot on the block helping the Pack start to climb out of its hole and cut the deficit to 20-16. Leslie then made a 3-pointer to give the Pack a 21-20 lead at the half.
The Pack came back out with renewed spirit as its starting lineup returned with Maize, who made an entrance with a basket and a blocked shot.
The team continued strongly, looking like a different team compared to the first half. The only major hiccup was an open foul-line shot for the Yellow Jackets.
A second shot opportunity was the turning point of the game’s momentum as sophomore guard Aislinn Konig made a 3-pointer, giving NC State a six-point lead.
The change caused Georgia Tech to take a timeout when the Pack continued its hot streak for a 31-22 lead. But it didn’t slow down the momentum for the Pack as Nelson made a three-point shot, 36-26.
Similar to the first half of the match, Maize received two fouls and was taken out due to foul trouble. The Pack continued to push forward, 44-34.
Georgia Tech then managed to close the gap to 49-40 and Maize received her fifth and final foul.
The match continued with red-shirt sophomore Kaila Ealey making the final three of the match, effectively closing the game out at 56-43.
The Wolfpack takes on Syracuse Sunday at Reynolds Coliseum at 2 p.m.
Kiara Leslie, a redshirt Junior, pushes past a Georgia Tech defender Wednesday in Reynolds Coliseum. The Wolfpack beat the Yellow Jackets 56-43 for their 13th win of this season.
