North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Thumps Maryland in ACC Opener, 73-45
1/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. – What may have been billed as a routine conference opener proved to be anything but ordinary as NC State thrashed Maryland, 73-45, on Thursday night in head coach Kellie Harper’s ACC debut at Reynolds Coliseum.
“I’m very proud of our team,” said Harper. “Our kids executed the game plan. They were very confident on both ends of the floor, and my hat’s off to them.”
The win moves the Wolfpack to 11-5 (1-0 ACC) on the year, while the Terrapins (12-3, 0-1 ACC) pick up its third loss.
Marissa Kastanek led all scorers with 19 points, while Nikitta Gartrell added 16 and a season-best 11 rebounds for her second career double-double.
In all, the Pack shot just over 43 percent, including 6-of-14 from outside and 15-of-20 from the charity stripe. A solid defensive effort forced 25 Terrapin turnovers and a 34 percent shooting clip.
NC State also out-rebounded the Terrapins 41-37, despite Maryland entering the game with a plus-12 turnover margin.
“The thing that I’m most proud of is not on the stat sheet,” said Harper. “Our kids played with so much heart and so much confidence. I’m just thrilled that that’s how they played.”
The Pack’s most complete effort to date came in the first half, resulting in a 20-point halftime lead (41-21). Gartrell and Kastanek helped set the tone immediately, both hitting three balls in the early going as NC State sprinted to a quick 12-2 advantage. A smoldering offense continued to sizzle as the Pack shot 50 percent throughout the first 20 minutes.
Kastanek (14), Gartrell (9) and White (8) accounted for 31 first half points, with Gartrell nailing three of four attempts from the outside.
But it was a stingy Pack defense that stole the show in the early going, holding Maryland to 8-of-25 shooting and forcing 12 turnovers. After an Amber White steal at 5:43 resulted in an open court layup, Kastanek pilfered the ensuing inbound pass beneath the basket for another score, pushing the Pack’s lead to 30-14.
“That steal [Kastanek’s] was like sticking the dagger in for us,” said Gartrell.
Maryland steadily chipped away at its deficit in the second half, eventually holding the Pack scoreless for nearly five minutes before a Bell three and two Gartrell free throws moved the score to 51-33. From that point forward, the Pack’s offense jumped back into high gear and resumed its first half production, with a Kastanek three-pointer putting NC State ahead by 31 at 68-37 with just over three minutes left to play.
“Obviously, NC State was incredible tonight,” said Maryland head coach Brenda Frese. “They were aggressive and physical. Exactly what you expect in their first ACC game.
“We got outworked. We got out hustled and outplayed. Those are areas that we can control.”
NC State will hit the road for its next two games, including a bout at Boston College this coming Sunday, Jan. 10.
“I’m very proud of our team,” said Harper. “Our kids executed the game plan. They were very confident on both ends of the floor, and my hat’s off to them.”
The win moves the Wolfpack to 11-5 (1-0 ACC) on the year, while the Terrapins (12-3, 0-1 ACC) pick up its third loss.
Marissa Kastanek led all scorers with 19 points, while Nikitta Gartrell added 16 and a season-best 11 rebounds for her second career double-double.
In all, the Pack shot just over 43 percent, including 6-of-14 from outside and 15-of-20 from the charity stripe. A solid defensive effort forced 25 Terrapin turnovers and a 34 percent shooting clip.
NC State also out-rebounded the Terrapins 41-37, despite Maryland entering the game with a plus-12 turnover margin.
“The thing that I’m most proud of is not on the stat sheet,” said Harper. “Our kids played with so much heart and so much confidence. I’m just thrilled that that’s how they played.”
The Pack’s most complete effort to date came in the first half, resulting in a 20-point halftime lead (41-21). Gartrell and Kastanek helped set the tone immediately, both hitting three balls in the early going as NC State sprinted to a quick 12-2 advantage. A smoldering offense continued to sizzle as the Pack shot 50 percent throughout the first 20 minutes.
Kastanek (14), Gartrell (9) and White (8) accounted for 31 first half points, with Gartrell nailing three of four attempts from the outside.
But it was a stingy Pack defense that stole the show in the early going, holding Maryland to 8-of-25 shooting and forcing 12 turnovers. After an Amber White steal at 5:43 resulted in an open court layup, Kastanek pilfered the ensuing inbound pass beneath the basket for another score, pushing the Pack’s lead to 30-14.
“That steal [Kastanek’s] was like sticking the dagger in for us,” said Gartrell.
Maryland steadily chipped away at its deficit in the second half, eventually holding the Pack scoreless for nearly five minutes before a Bell three and two Gartrell free throws moved the score to 51-33. From that point forward, the Pack’s offense jumped back into high gear and resumed its first half production, with a Kastanek three-pointer putting NC State ahead by 31 at 68-37 with just over three minutes left to play.
“Obviously, NC State was incredible tonight,” said Maryland head coach Brenda Frese. “They were aggressive and physical. Exactly what you expect in their first ACC game.
“We got outworked. We got out hustled and outplayed. Those are areas that we can control.”
NC State will hit the road for its next two games, including a bout at Boston College this coming Sunday, Jan. 10.
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