The No. 17 NC State women’s basketball team defeated conference rival Virginia Tech, 85-71, Sunday at Reynolds Coliseum.
The win propelled the Pack to 19-6 (9-3 ACC). The victory also marked the Pack’s first home game since Jan. 26. With a home record of 14-1, the Pack made sure to utilize its home-court advantage.
“We hadn’t played at home in a long time,” head coach Wes Moore said. “Everybody was excited about being back in here and the crowd was great; a fun atmosphere.”
The opening frame of the game looked like the back-to-back overtime games had caught up with the Pack. The team did not hit any of its three 3-pointers attempted. With the exception of senior guard Miah Spencer and sophomore center Nae Nae Cole, the players also seemed to lack their normal shooting touch. The duo combined for 14 of the Pack’s first 20 points. Despite the poor offensive showing the game was still very close.
At the first intermission, the Pack trailed, 20-19, to a sharp-shooting Virginia Tech team. During the first period, the Hokies shot 50 percent from behind the 3-point arc. The only things that held true in the first and throughout the game was State’s ability to frustrate VT leading-scorer Chanette Hicks and Spencer having the hot hand. Hicks went 1 for 3 with 2 points, two assists and one steal in the first. She did not make another shot from the floor throughout the game, finishing 1 for 9 from the field for four points.
Spencer on the other hand, parlayed her strong start into an excellent game. She finished one rebound and four assists away from a triple-double, tallying 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
“I just want us to be successful,” Spencer said. “If that’s me attacking the basket and getting assists, then that’s what I’m going to do. I don’t feel like I have to score because we have scorers on the team, but I do feel like there’s a time and a place when I do have to step up and be that offensive threat.”
Spencer continued to make an impact and her fellow seniors picked up their play in the second. This was what caused the Pack’s fortunes to change during the second period of play. Redshirt senior guard Dominique Wilson also had an excellent overall game, finishing with 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals. Six of her dimes were dropped in the second quarter.
The Wolfpack played smothering defense that helped get its offense going. The team had five steals; the Pack capitalized on these turnovers by scoring easy transition buckets.
Team shooting improved as well for the Pack. During the second period of play, the Pack boasted a 57.1 percent 3-point percentage. Senior guard Ashley Williams went on a scoring spree, dropping eight points during nine minutes of play.
Combined with aggressive rebounding and a cooled off Hokies offense, the Pack sprung out to a 31-8 second-quarter run. By halftime, the Pack had worked its way to a comfortable 50-28 advantage.
Early in the third, the Pack kept its foot on the gas; but this quarter was much more competitive. Spencer was a perfect 5 of 5 from the field and tallied three assists in the third. Wilson also chipped in eight points. Virginia Tech forward Sidney Cook scored 7 of her 18 points to keep the Hokies in the game. State only won this quarter by two points, but it extended an already massive lead.
Late in the third, the Pack boasted its team depth. Wilson was the only player logged more than 30 minutes during the game.
“It helps when you can have someone come off the bench and maintain that same intensity,” Spencer said. “It helps them with coach Moore’s confidence in their ability to play. [Freshman] Kaila Ealey has been doing a good job in practice, and its showing in the game. She played good defense and is getting a lot of rebounds.”
By the conclusion of the third, the Pack had mounted a 71-47 lead.
The fourth quarter saw primarily reserves play. The Hokies made a few good runs but the game was already out of reach by this time. Both coaches were aware of this and the fourth quarter felt more like a formality than the conclusion of a conference basketball game.
Following the win, the Pack will venture up to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts to take on Boston College Thursday at 7 p.m.
