N.C. State played its fourth ranked team in six games, and the grueling schedule took its toll on the team once again as State failed to finish the game down the stretch. No. 22 Florida State overtook the Pack in the final three minutes and held on to win, 82-74.
“Obviously right now it’s hard for us to close out a game, we are struggling to win a game,” head coach Kellie Harper said. “The confidence has been a little shaky going down the stretch.”
Harper decided to change her rotation and starting lineup. Harper opted to go with the taller guard, junior guard Breezy Williams (5-11) over redshirt sophomore guard Len’Nique Brown (5-5). Redshirt junior forward Lakeesa Daniel played 18 minutes, eight more than her average.
“When we got home from Maryland I wanted to make sure our practices were good,” Harper said. “I told the team I was going to determine the starting lineup based on body language, work ethic, leadership, communication and all the intangibles.”
The added height to the lineup helped the Pack out-rebound the Seminoles, 40-37; however, the team’s usual problems were present throughout the game. Florida State took 40 free throw attempts compared to just 11 for the Pack. The Pack also turned the ball over 24 times.
State was able to control the flow for most of the game. Williams provided a quick spark for the Pack as she scored five of the team’s first seven points. Sophomore guard Krystal Barrett also helped increase the early lead. Barrett finished with a career-high 10 points.
The Seminoles fought hard to tie the game at 33 with 41 seconds remaining in the first half, but a steal by senior guard Marissa Kastanek and two free throws from Barrett put the Pack up, 35-33, at the end of the half.
Junior forward Kody Burke had a strong first half and led the Pack in scoring with 10 points and rebounding with five boards. Burke shot five-for-eight from the floor and had two blocks.
Florida State was able to limit Burke’s effectiveness in the second half. She was only able to score six points and grab three rebounds in the second half.
Despite keeping Burke’s stats down, the Seminoles’ deficit quickly jumped to nine points. The Pack continued to increase its lead and went up by 12 points with 9:24 remaining in the half.
However, the Pack’s largest lead wouldn’t be enough after a strong run from the Seminoles. With 2:56 remaining, senior forward Chelsea Davis hit two free throws to give the Seminoles their first lead since the 9:50 mark in the first.
“I think we just lost a little bit of focus on a few possessions,” Harper said. “We knew those kids could get hot.”
Once the Seminoles took the lead they quickly went up by eight points and held the lead to finish out the game.
State is now 8-11 overall and 0-7 in conference play. The Pack takes on Virginia Tech at home Thursday.
“I’m hurt for our players, hurt for our staff, because we continue to prove we can compete,” Harper said. “We just keep going back every day and asking our players to keep believing in what we’re doing because they’re right on the edge of getting it done.”
