North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Women Face East Carolina
12/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH N.C. -- NC State's nationally-ranked women's basketball team will face East Carolina tonight in Reynolds Coliseum in the squad's final game prior to Christmas break. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
The Wolfpack: Despite playing without its returning starting point guard and center who are out with knee injuries, NC State is off to a fast 7-1 start and a top-20 national ranking in both polls. Terah James, who started all 29 games at point guard a year ago, has been recovering from reconstructive ACL surgery on her right knee but has been cleared to play. Kaayla Chones, the team's top returning scorer and rebounder suffered a partial tear in the quaricep tendon in her left knee and is expected back in the lineup after Christmas.
The Opponent: East Carolina brings a 4-4 record into tonight's game. Senior forward Tamilia Murray leads the Lady Pirates with 10.6 points per outing. ECU is coming off two heartbreaking losses in the Coke Classic hosted by South Alabama earlier this week. In the first game, South Alabama hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to claim a one-point 57-56 win. In the consolation game, East Carolina missed a shot at the horn and once again lost by one point, 55-54. ECU first-year assistant Edgar Farmer is no stranger to some of the Wolfpack players. He formerly coached the AAU Garner Flames, a team that Amy Simpson, Carisse Moody, Tynesha Lewis and Nanna Rivers all played for before joinng the Wolfpack.
The Matchup: This is last game for both teams before the Christmas break. NC State brings a six-game winning streak into tonight's contest. The Pack have also won 11 straight games in the month of December, dating back to 1998. The Wolfpack boast one of the top defenses in the nation, allowing only 48.5 points per game which ranks second in the nation. NC State Coach Kay Yow, who is currently only four wins shy of her 600th career victory, is an East Carolina alum.
