N.C. State defeated Towson by a score of 69-46 on Monday night. This was the second game of a six-game home stand for the team. With the win, State (2-0) remains undefeated on the year.
Towson played in different zone sets throughout the game. Head coach Wes Moore said that this took the team by surprise.
“We had some trouble at times attacking [their zone],” Moore said. “We had a lot of possessions come to having to force a shot up as the shot clock was winding down. Since we play very little zone ourselves, we probably don’t put as much time into it as we need to.”
Early in the game, the Pack did an excellent job of finding senior center Markeisha Gatling underneath the basket. The six-foot-five Gatling was able to bully the smaller Towson frontline and score eight points in the first 10 minutes.
“No one was coming to help on me,” Gatling said. “I was a little [surprised] because I thought they were going to double.”
Gatling continued her strong play in the second half, ending the game with a team-high 20 points. However, Moore said her performance overall was spotty.
“Gatling had her moments,” Moore said. “We got to get her to be more consistent. She has got to work constantly, especially against a zone.”
State’s outstanding ball movement granted the opportunity for open three-point shots, with the team sinking five of its 10 three-point attempts in the first half. Senior guard Myisha Goodwin-Coleman was able to drain two deep shots in the first three minutes.
The Tigers kept it close for most of the first half, but the Pack was able to make a run as the clock ran down. State ended the first half with its biggest lead of the contest at 15.
Towson put up a strong fight in the second half, bringing the score within eight. However, State was able to finish strong, ending the game on a 19-4 run.
Redshirt-junior guard Len’Nique Brown sparked the drive with a layup. Brown finished the game with 13 points, a team-high 11 rebounds and six assists, marking her first collegiate double-double.
“It feels good, but I can’t really celebrate it.” Brown said, “We have another game coming up.”
State limited the number of fouls in Monday’s contest, only allowing the Tigers to shoot seven free throws.
Freshman guard Ashley Williams was able to draw three offensive fouls on Towson, leading to critical possessions for the Pack. Williams also added three points and two assists.
“[Williams] is not the biggest, she’s not the quickest, but she’s smart,” Moore said. “She is willing to step in and take a charge, and that’s why she’s getting playing time. We got some other kids that need to take notice of that.”
The entire bench brought energy to the floor for State, totaling 22 points. In comparison, Towson’s bench produced only two.
“The bench definitely is a strength,” Moore said. “Of course, we’re still playing a lot of people and trying to define roles.”
The Pack will continue its homestretch on Saturday against Presbyterian. Moore said the Pack needs to resolve its problems with zone defense before the weekend matchup.
“[Presbyterian plays] zone for 40 minutes,” Moore said. “They held [No. 24] Georgia to 45 points in a game this weekend. We need to work on that a bit.”
