N.C . State opened its women’s basketball schedule by dominating over the South East Missouri State Redhawks , 66-29, at Reynolds Coliseum on Friday. The 29-point total for SEMO is the fewest points allowed by State since its opener against UNC-Greensboro in 2007.
The Pack struggled to get into an offensive rhythm in the first half of the game, allowing SEMO to play a closely contested game for the majority of the half.
“Right now with our offense, we were a little slow in the first half, a little stagnant in the first half,” Coach Kellie Harper said. “This early in the season, I’m not surprised. We focused mostly on our defense in practices. That’s an area that’s going to have to improve in the next three days.”
Harper then went to a full court press, forcing SEMO into turnovers and turning its errors into 13 points off of turnovers and 10 fast break points.
“We had some things to do on defense in terms of our alertness,” Harper said. “We weren’t completely buying into our system. But for the most part, our kids played hard and they had pretty good energy for the most part.”
State wasn’t able to create a double-digit deficit until a layup from freshman guard Krystal Barrett pushed the lead to 10 with 4:57 left.
State ended the half holding a 14-point lead with the score sitting at 30-16. Junior guard Marissa Kastanek led the Pack in scoring with 10 for the half.
“My mindset at the beginning of the game was to just take things slow and let the game come to me and help my teammates get in the flow of the game,” Kastanek said. “We’re all talented enough to play offense but as soon as we keep practicing our system with the screens and the cuts and just getting to know each other a lot better with our spacing I think it’s going to start off a lot better in the next couple of games.”
The second half saw the Pack extend its lead even further by only allowing 13 points in the second half.
Freshman guard Erica Donovan led the Wolfpack in scoring in her first outing with 11 points, scoring five points in the first half and six in the second.
“Erica gives energy,” Harper said. “She gives a toughness and aggressiveness when she steps on the court. I think that is what you need from a player coming off the bench. You have to have somebody coming off of the bench and giving you energy.”
Evans also had an explosive game on the glass by pulling down 14 rebounds in her debut.
“That was my job and I know it’s my job to go in and rebound,” Evans said. “I just took my job to heart.”
The Pack will play its next game Wednesday at Reynolds Coliseum versus UNC-Wilmington .
“Reminded our players after the game that all wins are good wins,” Harper said. “Don’t ever take them for granted. We’re excited that we’re 1-0. We will definitely work hard before Wednesday to improve on some things.”
