The No. 18 NC State women’s basketball team won its 22nd game of the season, beating the Virginia Cavaliers, 59-48. The win in Charlottesville was the Pack’s first since 2006.
The Wolfpack (22-7, 12-4 ACC) dominated the Cavaliers (18-11, 7-9 ACC) on Sunday to end the regular season. The win ensured that the Pack would receive a double bye heading into the ACC tournament. Despite its solid defense, Virginia was unable to defeat the Pack to add a win to its NCAA tournament resume.
The Pack started off the game shooting 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. The Pack finished the quarter shooting 6 of 12 from the field while holding the Cavaliers to only 4 of 12. State finished the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 19-11 lead.
While the Cavaliers were down by 8 at the end of the quarter, their swarming defense caused the Pack to struggle a bit as they forced four first quarter turnovers.
Virginia came out in the second quarter continuing to play tight defense; however, the Pack shared the ball well offensively and increased its lead to 12 with three minutes left in the half. The Cavaliers ended the half shooting just 1 for 11.
Senior Ashley Williams finished the half with nine points on 3 of 5 shooting to lead the Pack to a 31-20 lead at half.
Both teams came out in the third quarter struggling to put the ball in the basket. The Pack started shooting 3 of 9 while the Cavaliers shot 2 of 6. The quarter remained a defensive one as the Pack ended the quarter shooting 4 of 12 and the Cavaliers, 4 of 13.
Virginia won the third quarter, 12-10, to cut the lead to nine.
Early in the fourth quarter, Virginia cut the lead to seven; however, the Pack went on a quick 4-0 run to bring the lead back to double digits.
The quarter became a back-and-forth affair as the Cavaliers cut the lead to under double digits multiple times only to have it brought back up to double digits by State every time.
Virginia managed to cut the lead to nine with six minutes left. Despite a late flurry from the Cavaliers, the Pack was able to close out the game with its defense and free-throw shooting.
Redshirt senior Dominique Wilson and Williams led the Pack with 17 and 12 points, respectively. Senior Miah Spencer was also a big contributor, as she tallied seven points, six rebounds and six assists.
NC State’s next game will be in the ACC Tournament, which begins Wednesday in Conway, South Carolina. The Pack has a double bye so its first game will take place Friday against the winner of the Virginia Tech/Clemson vs Louisville matchup in the quarterfinals.
