NC State
14-4,6-1ACC
Virginia
11-8,3-4ACC
Hayes’ Go-Ahead Basket Elevates Pack to 73-68 Win Over Virginia
1/19/2025 5:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women's basketball team pulled out a hard-fought victory over Virginia on Sunday, 73-68. In a game that saw 16 ties and 16 lead changes, Madison Hayes delivered the go-ahead layup for the Pack with 1:06 left in the game. After that bucket, NC State forced back-to-back turnovers by Virginia to end the game on a 6-0 run. The Pack improved to 14-4 overall and 6-1 in ACC play.
Aziaha James led the Pack with 20 points, while Hayes earned her second straight double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. NC State was 15-of-16 from the free throw line and had 12 offensive rebounds, including 11 in the fourth quarter, compared to the Cavaliers' two. The Pack scored 23 points off 19 Virginia turnovers, as well as 12 second-chance points.
Tilda Trygger got the Pack started with two baskets, but Virginia would have an answer each time. Trygger then hit a 3-pointer, but the Cavaliers tied the game with a layup. At the media timeout taken with 4:42 left in the first quarter, the game was tied, 9-9. The Pack fell in a scoring drought for over two minutes until Saniya Rivers knocked down a jumper. Zoe Brooks then knocked down a 3-pointer to extend to a three-point lead, but Virginia answered. After the first quarter, the Pack had the 16-15 edge.
Virginia got a steal, which set up for a 3-pointer to beat the buzzer and retake the lead. The Pack dug out of its drought with a Devyn Quigley 3-pointer, but the Cavaliers would score five straight points. Mallory Collier and James both came up with layups, and Virginia called a timeout, with the Pack trailing 25-24 with 4:40 left in the second quarter. The Cavaliers would take a 33-28 lead off its fifth 3-pointer of the game, but the Pack closed out the quarter on a 6-2 run, including a buzzer beater by James to go into the locker room trailing by one, 35-34.
The Cavaliers made their first shot of the second half, while the Pack missed its first four. NC State got its first points off three free throws from Brooks who was fouled on a 3-pointer. Brooks then came up with an and-1 to help the Pack take the lead for the first time since the end of the first quarter. A Hayes layup extended the Pack's run to an 8-0 run, forcing Virginia to call a timeout, as the Pack led 42-39 with 5:33 left in the third quarter. The Cavaliers tied the game off a 3-pointer and then knocked down another one to take the lead. That lead was not for long as Brooks knocked down her second triple to tie the game for the ninth time. At the media timeout taken with 3:36 left in the third, the score was tied at 45-45. Rivers picked the pocket and took it to the other end for two. The Cavaliers took the lead off a 3-pointer, but Hayes had an answer with one of her own to retake the lead, as the Pack held a 54-52 edge going into the fourth quarter.
Virginia scored five straight points to retake the lead, but James had a quick answer with a 3-pointer for the game's 12th tie. Hayes came up with a basket through contact, but Virginia tied the game off the Cavaliers' 10th 3-pointer of the game. At the media timeout taken with 4:58 left in the game, the game was tied for the 15th time, 64-64. The Pack used seven offensive rebounds on one possession, which led to a Hayes' and-1. Virginia would then retake the lead by one with 1:43 left in the game. Hayes answered with the go-ahead bucket with 1:06 left in the game with the Pack ahead 69-68. The Pack came up with a turnover and James was fouled, leading to two free throws. With eight seconds left in the game, Virginia took a timeout to advance the ball, as the Pack was ahead, 71-68. Hayes came up with a steal and was fouled with one second left in the game. Hayes made the two free throws to ice the game and clinch a 73-68 win for the Pack.
PACK FACTS
- James registered her seventh 20-point game of the season behind 20 points, four rebounds and two assists. She played all 40 minutes, the first time this season, as well as took three charges
- Hayes logged 19 points, including 17 second-half points and went 8-of-8 from the free throw line. She earned her double-double with her 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive boards. Hayes added two blocks and two steals, including the one on the last stop
- Brooks was solid with 14 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. She played all 40 minutes for the first time this season
- Trygger finished short of a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. She had nine rebounds in the fourth quarter, which ties a program record (with Elissa Cuanne vs. North Carolina in 2020)
- Rivers had four of the Pack's eight steals and finished with six points and three assists
- The Pack had 14 assists to seven turnovers on 26 made baskets
UPCOMING
NC State will hit the road to play at Syracuse on Thursday, Jan. 23. That game will tipoff at 6 p.m. on ACC Network.
