North Carolina State University Athletics
Women Open with Exh. Win over Premier Players
11/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. Shayla Fields led three NC State players in double figures with a game high 17 points in a 59-53 victory over Premier Players in an exhibition women’s basketball game Wednesday night from Reynolds Coliseum.
Brittany Strachan added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Nikitta Gartrell had 11 points and handed out five assists for the Wolfpack. Lucy Ellison hauled in 11 rebounds.
Kenya McBee posted a double-double of the bench with 13 points and 11 rebounds for the visiting Premier Players.
“We struggled to shoot the basketball tonight at just under 33 percent, but we held them to 31 so a wins a win,” said Hall of Fame head coach Kay Yow, who began her 34th season at NC State tonight.
The Pack led 30-20 heading to the second half and was able to extend the lead to 47-32 at the 11:54 mark after a Fields layup. That double-digit advantage held up until a free throw and later a three-pointer by Sherell Sowho cut the advantage to six, 49-43.
McBee drained a three-pointer to make it 53-52 Pack with 3:19 left, but a crucial 3-pointer by Strachan swung the momentum back in favor of the home team.
A pair of free throws by Fields with 26 ticks left all but sealed the win.
“I thought we did some good things tonight, but there is certainly much room for improvement as we move closer to the official start of the season,” added Yow.
NC State begins its season in earnest on Saturday, November 15 at noon against UW-Milwaukee in the first game of the Wolfpack Invitational at Reynolds Coliseum. Southern Cal and Charlotte will square off immediately following the first game.
Consolation and championship games will take place the following day beginning at noon.
Brittany Strachan added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Nikitta Gartrell had 11 points and handed out five assists for the Wolfpack. Lucy Ellison hauled in 11 rebounds.
Kenya McBee posted a double-double of the bench with 13 points and 11 rebounds for the visiting Premier Players.
“We struggled to shoot the basketball tonight at just under 33 percent, but we held them to 31 so a wins a win,” said Hall of Fame head coach Kay Yow, who began her 34th season at NC State tonight.
The Pack led 30-20 heading to the second half and was able to extend the lead to 47-32 at the 11:54 mark after a Fields layup. That double-digit advantage held up until a free throw and later a three-pointer by Sherell Sowho cut the advantage to six, 49-43.
McBee drained a three-pointer to make it 53-52 Pack with 3:19 left, but a crucial 3-pointer by Strachan swung the momentum back in favor of the home team.
A pair of free throws by Fields with 26 ticks left all but sealed the win.
“I thought we did some good things tonight, but there is certainly much room for improvement as we move closer to the official start of the season,” added Yow.
NC State begins its season in earnest on Saturday, November 15 at noon against UW-Milwaukee in the first game of the Wolfpack Invitational at Reynolds Coliseum. Southern Cal and Charlotte will square off immediately following the first game.
Consolation and championship games will take place the following day beginning at noon.
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