After dropping its exhibition game against Premier Players last Wednesday, N.C. State rebounded and delivered a crushing 74-29 defeat to UNC-Greensboro Sunday at Reynolds Coliseum.

The Wolfpack, after a lackluster performance last week, came out playing a smothering defense that allowed State to extend its lead to 46 points with 12 minutes to go in the second half.

Senior forward Khadijah Whittington led State’s defensive effort, ending the game with six steals. She set the tempo on defense early when she had two steals and three baskets to allow the Pack to jump out to a quick 12-4 lead, with 13:27 left to play in the first half.

Whittington, who recorded her 20th career double-double with 23 points and 16 rebounds, said the coaches focused on increasing the team’s energy in practice after the exhibition loss.

“I didn’t think we had a lot of energy on Wednesday,” Whittington said. “I think that the coaches did a good job of focusing on having energy in practice, and also our shooting and aggressiveness, and I think we did a good job of moving the ball and getting our perimeter open today.”

Whittington said the level of competition was higher today after playing with hesitance in the last game.

“If you aren’t attacking the basket, you aren’t getting your perimeter open and getting good shots, so I think the guards did a great job of penetrating and also looking to the post as well,” Whittington said.

Coach Kay Yow displayed her relief that she got a better performance from her team in this game, explaining how the defensive effort opened up things for the offense to get good looks at the basket.

“I’m just grateful that they came with a different level of energy and intensity than they did the other night,” Yow said. “The team got themselves going tonight by playing good defense. That’s what generated a lot of their energy. They picked up their intensity on defense and scored easy baskets.”

With the team being inexperienced, Yow said focusing on the basics like good defense and execution will keep things simple for the younger players.

“They played much more free. We tried to get them to relax and play hard, and tried to get them to do what they know how to do and do it well,” Yow said.

“We’re trying to keep things as simple as we can and not complicate our system since we have such young players. When we concentrate on the basics and fundamentals, like good solid team defense, things work out for us.”

Whittington, the team’s lone senior, said she believes the younger players are coming along nicely and hopes that they will be able to contribute more as the season goes along.

“We still have work to do, but we are getting stronger and I think if we continue to work we will really be tough to deal with, especially with our defense and the pressure we put on the ball,” she said.