North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Maryland
Wolfpack Falls to Maryland in ACC Opener
1/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Bishop McNamara alums Kalika France and Crystal Washington posted career highs to lead the Maryland women's basketball team to a 68-56 win over NC State in its ACC opener on Friday night at Comcast Center. ACC Rookie of the Week France netted a career-best 19 points and tied her career high in rebounds with 10 for her first-career double-double. Washington grabbed a career-high 13 boards to go along with 10 points for her third double-double of the season.
With four lead changes and three ties, it was a battle for both teams to keep the lead in the first 12 minutes of the game. Maryland (9-3, 1-0 ACC) led early on, 8-4, but NC State (8-6, 0-1 ACC) scored six-straight points to go ahead, 10-8. Senior Delvona Oliver remained perfect on the season from the free throw line, completing a three-point play, giving the lead back to the Terps, 11-10. The Wolfpack regained the advantage, 15-13, on an Ashley Key 3-pointer, but Oliver was quick to respond with a trey of her own and Maryland led, 16-15, with 8:16 left in the first half.
The Terps never trailed for the rest of the game but NC State was close behind, tying the game at 22 with 4:01 remainig in the half. With the shot clock winding down and the Terps ahead, 28-26, junior Alli Spence netted a three, giving Maryland a five-point cushion at the break, 31-26.
Back-to-back France layups capped a 7-2 Maryland run to open the second half, 39-28. But NC State would not go away, coming to within 40-35 at 12:51. Maryland regained control, however, going on a 10-0 run keyed by a long-range three by sophomore Chrissy Fisher to jump ahead, 50-35. A jumper in the lane from freshman Aurelie Noirez pushed the Terp's advantage to 52-36, its biggest lead of the contest.
The Wolfpack clawed its way back, thanks to a 14-3 run over five minutes, 55-50. But Maryland, who is the best free-throw shooting team in the ACC, was 10-for-10 from the charity stripe and pulled away for the win. Senior Nanna Rivers took the call to penetrate into the stifling Maryland defense and scored a quick field goal, which was topped only by a three-pointer from sophomore Billie McDowell.
Maryland hit the boards tonight, outrebounding NC State, 51-37. The Terps had 23 offensive boards, compared to the Pack's 14.
NC State freshman Marquetta Dickens finished with seven points, four rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist. Rivers and senior Alvine Mendeng each added eight points, while Mendeng was second in rebounds with six. Maryland's Oliver finished the game with 14 points and Spence added 11. Washington also had a career-high tying three blocks.
A second-team All-ACC pick last year, Kaayla Chones was the only player in double figures for NC State, missing a double-double with 13 points and nine boards. She has scored in double figures 12 times this season.
NC State looks ahead to host Wake Forest, 7-6, 0-2 ACC, on Monday, Jan. 5. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.
