NC State
9-1,0-0ACC
USF
8-3,0-0AAC
#8 NC State Grinds Out 65-57 Win Over South Florida
12/11/2022 4:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH – In its first contest inside Reynolds Coliseum in nearly a month, the eighth-ranked NC State women's basketball team (9-1) improved its home winning streak to 16 games with a 65-57 victory over visiting South Florida (8-3).
Diamond Johnson led the Wolfpack in scoring, shooting 6-of-10 (2-of-3 from distance) and scoring 14 points in the first half alone. Fellow veterans Jakia Brown-Turner (13 points) and Camille Hobby (10 points) joined her in double figures, combining for 16 second-half points in the win.
Both Saniya Rivers (9 points) and Mimi Collins (7 points) finished just short of double figures but respectively led the team in assists (3) and rebounds (8). Madison Hayes tied Rivers' team lead in assists with three of her own and also paced the team in steals (3).
The Wolfpack forced the Bulls into 15 turnovers and took advantage of those mishandles by outscoring USF 16-7 in points off turnovers. As a team, NC State shot 42.1 percent (24-of-57).
The Wolfpack took advantage of a 21-8 scoring advantage in the second quarter to take a lead that it did not relinquish for the final 27:45 of the game. After trailing following the first 10 minutes of action, NC State scored the first six points of the second quarter, all coming from Johnson, to jump ahead. USF went nearly eight minutes without a field goal, knocking down just one free throw from 1:04 in the first to 3:14 in the second.
During its second-period dominance, NC State forced the Bulls into seven turnovers and held to single digits for the 12th quarter this season. The second quarter made the difference for the Pack in the eight-point win as the teams battled through a fairly even second half.
NC State concludes the non-conference portion of its schedule on Thursday, Dec. 15 when it hosts in-state foe Davidson. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on the ACC Network.
#GoPack | @PackWomensBball
