North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Florida A&M
Pack Downs Florida A&M, 72-65
12/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State (5-3) used an 8-0 run late in the second half to pull away from Florida A&M (3-4) and claim its third consecutive victory at home, 72-65. Seniors Alvine Mendeng, Kaayla Chones and junior Kendra Bell each scored 11 points to pace the Wolfpack, while A&M's Yolanda Dixon put in a game-high 22 points.
"Before the game, I could tell that we were not ready to play," said NC State head coach Kay Yow. "The team just wasn't up. It was an ugly win, but we'll take it. We should just get past this game and move on and get rested and continue to work hard and progress."
There were nine lead changes in the first half along, with the Rattlers leading by as many as seven midway through the period. The tides changes when sophomore Billie McDowell found classmate Rachel Stockdale at the top of the key for a three-pointer to put the Pack up by two with 5:13 to go in the first half. The Pack stretched its lead to six after senior Nanna Rivers converted a three-point play and senior Terah James added a point at the free throw line. With one second remaining in the half, freshman Marquetta Dickens drained a three from the right wing to help the Pack to a six-point advantage heading into the break.
The Pack went on an 8-0 run and led by 13 with just over five minutes remaining. The final seven-point margin was as close as the Rattlers could get. NC State shot well, pulling out a 46 percent performance from the floor on 25-of-54 shooting. The Wolfpack also outrebounded the Rattlers 46-35 and shot 72 percent from behind the arc. Defensively the Pack recorded 34 boards to just 16 offensively by Florida A&M.
Former NC State men's basketball star David Thompson was honored at halftime for his accomplishments off of the court. The All-American earned his B.A. in sociology over the summer and participated in commencement exercises earlier in the day.
NC State heads to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout Dec. 20-22. The Pack will open play versus Eastern Michigan on Saturday, then meet UP-Mayaquez on Sunday, and Baylor on Monday. Games can be heard on the Wolfpack Radio Network, WKNC 88.1.
