Color of the day – PinkIn alignment with the Hoops for Hope event, it was hard to look anywhere without seeing the color pink — pink being the official color of breast cancer awareness. Fans, male cheerleaders, the pep-band and the basketball team wore pink and white Hoops for Hope T-shirts. Also, the team had new Nike shoes with “Coach Yow” written in pink on a Velcro strap and pink shoelaces.

Just making sure it worksThe referees for the game also decided to join in on the Hoops for Hope festivities by having matching pink whistles — which were put to good use. By the end of the first half the referees whistled a total of 24 fouls, and by the end of the game, they called 36 total fouls.

This isn’t soccerTowards the end of the game, one of those plays you could never reconstruct occurred. After senior center Gillian Goring grabbed one of her 12 rebounds, she passed it up court to unsuspecting junior forward Khadijah Whittington. As a Boston College defender ran to grab the ball, the heel of Whittington’s foot happened to hit the ball over the defender while Whittington kept running in stride.

Inspirational halftimeDuring halftime of the game, breast cancer survivors and individuals battling breast cancer were recognized on the court. Survivors and fighters were in groups according to how long they had survived or been battling breast cancer — groups ranged from less than one year to more than 20 years. Also, several more survivors in the crowd were recognized.

The red-headed step-coachIn attendance at the game were both football coach Tom O’Brien and former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher. After a coaching search in which many had Cowher as their top candidate to fill the position, and the somewhat surprising hire of O’Brien, it was rather surreal to be in the presence of both under the same roof.

The history of YowAlso recognized during the game were former women’s basketball players, assistant coaches, trainers and support staff members. Members in attendance dated from the 1970s up to the current decade. Since head coach Kay Yow has been coach since 1975, it is safe to bet that she has influenced the many that were recognized at the game.

Inside the Numbers2 This game marked the second annual Hoops for Hope breast cancer awareness event, the second win in a row for the Wolfpack, and the second game since head coach Kay Yow’s return.

20 Senior center Gillian Goring scored a career high 20 points in the game while also grabbing 12 rebounds. It was Goring’s third double-double of the season and fourth of her collegiate career at N.C. State.

43,820 A total of $43,820 was donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as a result of the Hoops for Hope event.

4,000+ Boston College was responsible for more than $4,000 of the donation as it collected donations during three of its home games this season.

7,971 A season-high 7,971 fans were in attendance for the game.

5 After winning two straight ACC games, N.C. State is now 4-3 in the ACC and is currently tied with Virginia Tech for fifth place in the league.