North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Women Down Russian National Team
11/4/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Raleigh, NC (Nov. 4) - Coach Kay Yow and the NC State women's basketball team opened the 1999-2000 season with an 82-78 win over the Russian National team in an exhibition game in Reynolds Coliseum.
The Wolfpack Women placed four players in double figures led by Summer Erb's 16 points. The senior center also contributed eight rebounds.
NC State built 14-point leads in both halves but each time the Russian team combated with three-pointers to cut into the Wolfpack lead. NC State held a narrow two point lead with just over a minute remaining before freshmen Kaayla Chones and Terah James sealed the win for State. Chones scored on a put back off an offensive rebound and then James hit two free throws in the final seconds.
"I think that we played very well together and made great decisions at times, and at other times we made very poor decisions," commented NC State coach Kay Yow. "There were several times during the game when we got substantial leads, but unfortunately we were unable to hold onto those leads. But I think that finally getting a game under our belt was very important for us."
The Wolfpack shot well in its first outing of the season, shooting over 54 percent from the floor and hitting 16 of 18 free throws. NC State also held the advantage on the boards, outrebounding the taller foreign team 41-37.
Juniors Monica Bates and Tynesha Lewis scored 13 points apiece for NC State and Lewis was the Wolfpack's top rebounder with 13. Point guard Terah James added 12 points, four assists and two steals in her first collegiate start.
The Wolfpack Women will play its second and final exhibition contest against Ferencvarosi Torna of Hungary on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State opens the regular season in the State Farm Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 14 against Rutgers.
