North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Elon University
McDowell and Stansbury Lead Pack Over Elon
12/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2005
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State women's basketball used an 11-0 run in the first four minutes of the game to ensure a win over visiting Elon, 73-43, in the opening game of the NC State tournament, Saturday, Dec.3. The win improved the Wolfpack's record to 4-2, and dropped the Phoenix to 2-3. Seniors Billie McDowell and Tiffany Stansbury combined for 35 of NC State's 73 points to lead the Wolfpack. McDowell hit four three-pointers and tallied 14 of her 16 points in the first half and Stansbury added a game-high 19 points. Elon's Kitara McMoore led the Phoenix with nine points.
"I really liked the way Billie (McDowell) and Tiffany (Stansbury) came out and played today," said NC State head coach Kay Yow. "They could have taken this game lightly but didn't. We still have some things we need to improve on like our free throw shooting and just getting to the line, but I like the direction we are headed. This team really plays well together and is learning to always be ready to go."
The Wolfpack opened the game with an 11-0 run in the first four minutes and held Elon without a point until a free throw from Shashonna McMoore put the Phoenix on the board. In fact, Elon didn't score its first field goal until the 14:56 mark, a layup from Nicole Allison. The free throw and basket sparked an 8-2 run for Elon tightening the Pack's grip on the lead to 13-8 with just over 13 minutes remaining in the period. A second 11-0 run extended the Wolfpack lead to 21 with just over two minutes left and finished the half with the same lead thanks to a lay up from junior Marquetta Dickens as time expired to put NC State up 42-21. Once again senior Billie McDowell tallied four three-pointers in the first half. She had done so previously in her season debut against Vanderbilt on Wednesday. She was 4-for-7 from the arc and added another field goal to lead all scorers in the half with 14 points. Senior center Tiffany Stansbury had 11 points and was 5-for-6 from the floor.
NC State expanded its lead to as many as 32 points and never let Elon get closer than 19 in the second half. The Pack reached a 27-point lead with seven minutes, but then its offense, along with Elon's stalled out for more than five minutes until a three-pointer from junior Ashley Key put a stop to the scoreless streak and put NC State up 71-41 with two minutes to go. A jumper from junior Danielle Wilhelm gave the Wolfpack its biggest lead at 32 with a minute to go. Elon scored off of two free throw from Shashoma Moore, but the Phoenix finished the game without a field goal after Myra Donkin hit a jumper with 7:11 left.
"I thought we battled as best we could today," said Elon head coach Brenda Paul. "We like playing games like this because they expose what we need to work on and take it back to our league. They make us better."
Junior Sasha Reaves posted a career-high 10 rebounds, six in the second half alone and had seven offensive rebounds. Four Wolfpack players reached double figures, including Stansbury (19), McDowell (16), Marquetta Dickens (11), Key (11).
NC State will play at 3:15 on Sunday, Dec. 4 and will await the winner between Southern Miss and Liberty. Elon will face the loser of the same game at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Game Summary:
High Scorer: Tiffany Stansbury, 19 (ST), Kitara McMoore, 9 (Elon)
Rebounds: Sasha Reaves, 10 (ST), Nikko King 7 (Elon)
Assists: Ashley Key, 6 (ST), McMoore, 4 (Elon)
Blocks: Stansbury 3, (ST), McMoore, 3 (Elon)
Steals: 3 with two (ST), McMoore, 2 (Elon)
