After a 53-41 win for N.C. State (5-2) over South Carolina (4-3) on Wednesday night, South Carolina coach Susan Walvius had one statement to summarize the entire game.

“This is one of the ugliest games I have seen in a really long time,” Walvius said.

The first half featured two teams that struggled to score or execute as the Wolfpack shot only 23 percent in the half — hitting six out of 26 shots, while the Gamecocks shot only 21 percent from the floor — making seven of its 34 attempts.

Both teams failed to make any of their eight attempted three-point shots, and combined for 22 turnovers.

Heading into the locker room at halftime the score was tied 18-18. The combined 36 points between the two teams was one of the lowest point production halves in Reynolds Coliseum history.

But the second half was a different story for State.

The second half saw the Pack improve its shooting to 52 percent while making 11-of-21 shots. State also outrebounded South Carolina as well.

State was able to score by finding easier shots as it scored eight fast-break points after scoring none in the first half.

Senior forward Keisha Brown said it was crucial for the team to get out and find easier shots in the second half.

“It is pretty much getting out and running — especially in transition,” Brown said. “Shayla [Fields] does a good job getting up the court.”

Interim coach Stephanie Glance said during halftime the team realized it had to do something different in the second half in order to win.

“We wanted to limit their offensive rebounds, take better care of the balland, get better shots,” Glance said.

A large difference in the game was the play of freshman guard Sharnise Beal, who didn’t play at all in the first half, but came in during the second half and contributed five points and two steals in only eight minutes.

Glance said Beal and other young players on the team were instrumental to the Pack’s success because of the lack of production by upperclassmen during the game.

“We aren’t getting a lot of consistency from our returners,” the coach said.

“We don’t expect a lot of consistency from our freshmen, but that creates a little bit of a problem because we don’t have that kind of consistency from your returners game in and game out, then you are looking for ways to adjust to that.”

South Carolina continued its shooting woes in the second half, only shooting 27 percent from the field on 8-of-30 shooting.

The combined 32 field goals made between the Pack and Gamecocks set a Reynolds Coliseum record for fewest shots made in a game. The previous record was 33 field goals in 2001 in a game against Clemson.

Coming into the game, the Gamecocks were averaging 80 points per game and 40 percent shooting.

Walvius said the difference in the game was the determination and intensity from State.

“They won the hustle plays battle today,” the coach said. “It came down to that. Sometimes games are going to come down to that. That is where I think they got the game.”

The game saw the return of senior center Gillian Goring, who had yet to play in a game all season due to injury.

Goring played 14 minutes and contributed four points, four rebounds and much-needed height to a team that had played all season without a true center.

Glance said the addition of Goring was key to the game because of South Carolina’s abundance of size, but time will be needed before Goring can play smoothly with the team.

“We’re not used to playing with ‘GG’ yet,” coach said. “GG has got to get back into the feel of things.”

The game was the first home game for State in more than a week after a two-game road trip last week. It was also the first home game since coach Kay Yow started her leave of absence.

Brown said despite the emotional roller coaster the team has endured over the past week, the game was a good stepping stone to continuing the season and pursuing the team’s goals.

“It is very emotional, but at the same time we know that we have to stay focused because we are trying to accomplish something,” Brown said.

“Staying focused is a big key because we can handle the issues that are going on off the court, but on the court we are on a mission.”