The women’s basketball team stayed close early, but faded fast in a 74-49 loss at Virginia (16-5, 5-1 ACC).
After trailing 17-15 midway through the first half, N.C. State allowed the Cavaliers a 25-5 run to close the half and roll toward their third straight ACC victory.
Meanwhile, State (14-8) dropped to 2-5 in conference play as a game at Florida State on Thursday is up next.
Senior forward Khadijah Whittington led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds in defeat, while junior guard Shayla Fields and sophomore guard Sharnise Beal each pitched in 12 points.
Sophomore center Lucy Ellison returned to the court as she came back from an injury and played 20 minutes, scoring two points and pulling down two rebounds.
The team committed 18 turnovers and shot 30.2 percent on field goals, while Virginia managed to shoot 50 percent.
Lyndra Littles and Monica Wright led the Cavaliers with 17 points and 16 points, respectively. Virginia’s only loss in ACC play thus far was against second-place and No. 5 Maryland.
After Thursday’s contest at FSU, State will return home for games against Boston College on Sunday, the annual Hoops for Hope game for cancer research, and Miami on Feb. 14.