North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Women Down No. 4 Rutgers, 68-55
11/14/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tynesha Lewis scored 17 points, leading No. 18 NC State to a 68-55 victory over No. 3 Rutgers in the State Farm Women's Tip-Off Classic Sunday. The Wolfpack Women took the lead in the second minute of the game and never trailed in its season opener.
The NC State freshmen combination of Terah James (15 points) and Kaayla Chones (10 points) looked quite impressive as they helped to offset a sub-par day by Summer Erb (eight points and six rebounds). Erb, who is still suffering from a pre-season eye injury, played the entire game wearing a protective facemask.
The cold-shooting Scarlet Knights, paced by Shawnetta Stewart with 16 points and Tasha Pointer's 13, shot 35 percent from the field to NC State's 50 percent. Rutgers experienced long dry spells in the first half but managed to narrow NC State's lead to 30-24 by halftime.
The Wolfpack Women would not be denied, however, as it came out hot in the second half. At the 16:56 mark NC State scored nine straight points and pushed the lead to the largest of the game, 39-24.
Rutgers continued to fight as they cut the deficit to 49-41 on a free throw by Pointer with 5:35 left, but got no closer. A full-court press by Rutgers in the closing minutes didn't slow down the Wolfpack Women, and provided breakaways baskets for Lewis, James and Monica Bates.
NC State's Kay Yow, who was selected for introduction into the Women's Basketball Fall of Fame earlier in the weekend, was excited by her team's defensive prowess on the afternoon.
"I'm proud of the way we came out with defensive intensity," stated Yow. "We knew that at the beginning of the season, our offense would be behind our defense. The main thing today was our timing of playing with people."
Rutger's Coach, Vivian Stringer, was impressed with the NC State squad.
"They (NC State) are a great team to be dealt with, and I don't want to have to deal with them again anytime soon," said Stringer. She also had high praise for James and Chones saying, "I really thought Erb would hurt us more, but it was their freshmen. Their two freshmen (James and Chones) were really big for them today."
NC State will now prepare to host their tournament on November 20-21. Participants include Southern Mississippi, UNCG and Washington. All action will take place in Reynolds Coliseum.
