NC State
12-9, 3-5ACC
Virginia
14-7, 4-4ACC
NC State Drops Close Contest at Virginia, 71-63
1/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - In a game which featured six ties and nine lead changes, the NC State women's basketball team (12-9, 3-5 ACC) dropped a close contest to a very hot shooting Virginia team on Thursday night, falling by a final score of 71-63 at John Paul Jones Arena.
The Wolfpack played well fundamentally, outscoring the Cavaliers (14-7, 4-4 ACC) 28-16 in the paint, 15-10 off turnovers, 11-9 in second-chance points, and 12-0 in fast break points. Despite trailing in all these categories, Virginia won in large part due to very strong three point shooting, connecting on 11 of 15 (.733) three point attempts.
"I'm proud of the team and proud of the effort tonight," NC State head coach Wes Moore said. "Lot better effort in this game than we saw in the second half of the last one.
"But you've got to tip your hat to Virginia, too. They shot the lights out: 73 percent from the three point line. They knocked down some shots and I feel like we had a few good looks which just didn't go in."
Dominique Wilson led the way offensively for NC State, scoring 18 points on 7-16 shooting. She was joined in double figures by Jennifer Mathurin (14 points) and Carlee Schuhamcher (13). Miah Spencer recorded a team-high nine rebounds to tie the best mark of her career.
Virginia was led by an incredible shooting night from Mikayla Venson, who scored 22 points on 7-8 from the field and 6-6 from three point range. She was joined in double figures by Faith Randolph (17 points, eight rebounds).
A very exciting first half featured six ties and seven lead changes before ultimately resulting in a halftime score of 36-35 in favor of the hosts. NC State began the half shooting very well from the field and would cool off in the latter stages of the period, ending the first 20 minutes at 15-33 (.455) from the field. Virginia also had a strong offensive opening half, going 13-24 (.542) from the field.
Schuhmacher had a very efficient first half, hitting four of seven shots to score eight points. Mathurin and Wilson each also scored eight points in the opening stanza while Spencer dished out three assists.
Trailing 41-37 early in the second half, NC State would rattle off a 19-7 run over the course of 8:21 to take a 56-48 advantage with 9:08 to play. The Pack would become cold from the field shortly thereafter, going 1-9 over its next few shot attempts. During this spell, Virginia would reclaim the lead and extend it to four points (64-60) before Wilson scored a layup through contact on an assist from Spencer to cut the deficit in half. She then converted the ensuing free throw to pull the Pack within just one point at 64-63.
Virginia scored the game's final seven points throughout the remaining 73 seconds to claim the win.
NC State will have a bye on Super Bowl Sunday and will next be in action on Thursday, Feb. 5 at home against Pittsburgh. This will kick off a two-game home stand which will conclude against Wake Forest on Feb. 8.
#GoPack
