Thursday, November 23
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
2:30PM
NC State
6-0
68
vs
49
Alabama
4-1
1
2
3
4
F
Alabama
8
16
12
13
49
NC State
22
17
20
9
68
Wolfpack Dominates Crimson Tide 68-49 to Open Puerto Rico Clasico
11/23/2017 4:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NC State head coach Wes Moore earns 650th career victory
November 23, 2017
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The NC State women's basketball team (6-0) picked up its sixth straight victory in its opening game at the 2017 Puerto Rico Clasico Thursday, defeating previously unbeaten Alabama by a final score of 68-49. The win marks the 650th in the career of 2017 ACC Coach of the Year Wes Moore and is also the second 6-0 start to a Wolfpack season since he took over the program at the outset of the 2013-14 campaign.
For the fifth time this season, NC State never trailed in the contest, leading Alabama (4-1) for 38:52 of the game's 40 minutes. The Wolfpack dominated the glass during the victory, out-rebounding the Crimson Tide by a 47-32 margin. NC State also held Alabama to an 18-57 (.316) success rate from the field while connecting on 23 of 54 (.426) attempts on the offensive end.
The Wolfpack was led offensively by a career-high scoring effort from senior center and Lisa Leslie Award nominee Akela Maize. She scored 20 points on 9-11 shooting, swatted five blocks, and narrowly missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds. She was joined in double figures by classmate Chelsea Nelson (18 points and 13 rebounds) and sophomore Aislinn Konig (17 points on 4-6 shooting from distance).
"We came ready to play today," NC State head coach Wes Moore said. "We had a lot of energy. It helped that we knocked down some shots. That always helps morale and gives you an extra boost of energy. Akela Maize, what a great game for her. Great effort. Chelsea Nelson knocked down eight of ten free throws, had 18 points, and 13 rebounds. And Kiara Leslie gave us a big lift on the boards going to get eight rebounds.
"I like where we are. We turned it over a little too much in the second half and had some silly turnovers at times when maybe we had a different lineup, but we still have to take care of the ball better. This is a good win. Alabama beat Tennessee twice last year and returns all five starters. They have a lot of talent, so for us to come out and get a quality win like this is good. Unfortunately we have a quick turnaround and have another great team tomorrow in South Dakota State. Hopefully we can rest up for a few hours and come back ready to roll again."
Tied 2-2 just 1:15 into the contest, NC State put together a 6-0 run to take an 8-2 advantage when Nelson laid one in at the 6:46 mark. The Wolfpack would never look back from this point, taking a 22-8 advantage into the first quarter break. The teams played a more even second quarter, with Alabama cutting the deficit to 11 points (35-24) with 1:52 remaining in the frame, but NC State ended the period by scoring the final four points to lead 39-24 at the half.
Alabama cut the Wolfpack lead to 13 points (39-26) by making the first basket of the third quarter, but would come no closer the rest of the way. NC State's lead ballooned to as high as 26 points (59-33) when Konig hit a three with 2:07 remaining in the third quarter.
On picking up his 650th career win
Moore: "650. Wow. That's means you're old, is what that means. I've just been blessed. Had great kids, great assistant coaches, and that's the best thing I've done, is just to surround myself with quality people. I'm happier for these kids. Lot of question marks coming into the season, and there's still a lot to be answered, but this is a good win for us and hopefully we can build some momentum from it."
NC State has a quick turnaround and returns to action on Friday, Nov. 24 against South Dakota State to conclude play at the Puerto Rico Clasico. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
#GoPack | @PackWomensBball
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The NC State women's basketball team (6-0) picked up its sixth straight victory in its opening game at the 2017 Puerto Rico Clasico Thursday, defeating previously unbeaten Alabama by a final score of 68-49. The win marks the 650th in the career of 2017 ACC Coach of the Year Wes Moore and is also the second 6-0 start to a Wolfpack season since he took over the program at the outset of the 2013-14 campaign.
For the fifth time this season, NC State never trailed in the contest, leading Alabama (4-1) for 38:52 of the game's 40 minutes. The Wolfpack dominated the glass during the victory, out-rebounding the Crimson Tide by a 47-32 margin. NC State also held Alabama to an 18-57 (.316) success rate from the field while connecting on 23 of 54 (.426) attempts on the offensive end.
The Wolfpack was led offensively by a career-high scoring effort from senior center and Lisa Leslie Award nominee Akela Maize. She scored 20 points on 9-11 shooting, swatted five blocks, and narrowly missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds. She was joined in double figures by classmate Chelsea Nelson (18 points and 13 rebounds) and sophomore Aislinn Konig (17 points on 4-6 shooting from distance).
"We came ready to play today," NC State head coach Wes Moore said. "We had a lot of energy. It helped that we knocked down some shots. That always helps morale and gives you an extra boost of energy. Akela Maize, what a great game for her. Great effort. Chelsea Nelson knocked down eight of ten free throws, had 18 points, and 13 rebounds. And Kiara Leslie gave us a big lift on the boards going to get eight rebounds.
"I like where we are. We turned it over a little too much in the second half and had some silly turnovers at times when maybe we had a different lineup, but we still have to take care of the ball better. This is a good win. Alabama beat Tennessee twice last year and returns all five starters. They have a lot of talent, so for us to come out and get a quality win like this is good. Unfortunately we have a quick turnaround and have another great team tomorrow in South Dakota State. Hopefully we can rest up for a few hours and come back ready to roll again."
Tied 2-2 just 1:15 into the contest, NC State put together a 6-0 run to take an 8-2 advantage when Nelson laid one in at the 6:46 mark. The Wolfpack would never look back from this point, taking a 22-8 advantage into the first quarter break. The teams played a more even second quarter, with Alabama cutting the deficit to 11 points (35-24) with 1:52 remaining in the frame, but NC State ended the period by scoring the final four points to lead 39-24 at the half.
Alabama cut the Wolfpack lead to 13 points (39-26) by making the first basket of the third quarter, but would come no closer the rest of the way. NC State's lead ballooned to as high as 26 points (59-33) when Konig hit a three with 2:07 remaining in the third quarter.
On picking up his 650th career win
Moore: "650. Wow. That's means you're old, is what that means. I've just been blessed. Had great kids, great assistant coaches, and that's the best thing I've done, is just to surround myself with quality people. I'm happier for these kids. Lot of question marks coming into the season, and there's still a lot to be answered, but this is a good win for us and hopefully we can build some momentum from it."
NC State has a quick turnaround and returns to action on Friday, Nov. 24 against South Dakota State to conclude play at the Puerto Rico Clasico. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
#GoPack | @PackWomensBball
Team Stats
UA
ST
FG%
.316
.426
3FG%
.333
.412
FT%
.429
.625
RB
32
47
TO
13
17
STL
13
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
Guard
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