North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
2-1,0-0ACC
Maine
0-2,0-0America East
No. 10/9 NC State Women’s Basketball Defeats Maine in Home Opener
11/11/2025 9:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH – The No. 10/9 NC State women's basketball team defeated Maine, 66-47, in the Pack's 2025-26 home opener. With the victory, NC State has extended its home winning streak to 24 games, the fourth longest active home winning streak in the country.
NC State used two big runs with a 14-3 one in the second and 8-0 run in the third to elevate to the 19-point win. In a tale of two halves, the Pack shot the ball much better in the second, shooting 17-of-34 for 50 percent from the field vs. 10-of-33 for 30 percent from the field in the first.
The Pack was led by three players in double digits, including Khamil Pierre who logged her third straight double-double to start her Pack career with 18 points off 8-of-14 from the field and 10 rebounds.
NC State outrebounded Maine 54-36 and dominated in the paint (42-22). The Pack also won the battle in second chance points (11-5), fast breaks (12-4) and bench points (18-7).
NC State jumped to 5-0 lead and held Maine scoreless for the first 3:08 of the game. Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, as NC State shot 3-of-18 (17 percent) from the field and Maine was held to just 14 percent (2-of-14). NC State was held in a drought without a field goal for five minutes until Pierre, who had six of the Pack's nine points in the quarter, came up with a putback. NC State led 9-5 after one.
The Pack outscored Maine 19-9 in the second quarter. NC State went on a 14-0 run, making 5-of-6 field goals during that stretch, including by Zoe Brooks who split the defense on consecutive plays and drew contact for a 3-point play on the second. NC State went up by 17, while holding Maine in a scoring drought for 4:30. The Bears broke that drought with a 3-pointer, and at the half, NC State led 28-14. Brooks had seven of those points in the quarter.
Pierre made the first two baskets for the Pack in the second half after sitting out the majority of the first half due to foul trouble. A Zamareya Jones drive to the basket sparked an 8-0 run for the Pack, as the Pack led 40-17 with 4:35 left in the quarter after a Mallory Collier putback basket. The Pack struggled to hit from deep on Tuesday and after 13 missed attempts in a row, Jones capitalized from deep to extend the Pack's lead to 24, its largest of the game. NC State led 49-27 after three following outsourcing the Bears 21-13 in the quarter.
Maine had the slight edge in the fourth, 20-17. The Pack also got action from Lorena Awou for the first time this season, who had four points in the fourth. NC State closed out the game making its final five of six field goals of the game to win 66-47.
PLAYERS QUOTES
"Was it cool that you guys got to flip the USC game so quickly?"
Brooks - "I lost sleep for like two days, so I'm glad I get to sleep good now"
Jones - "Yeah we could not sit on the L for long, so onto the next game for sure"
"What's it like being back at Reynolds?"
Brooks - "I'm just glad to be home, you know our fans, they're just amazing. I just love playing at Reynolds, it's always loud, so I'm glad to be back home for sure."
Jones - "I thought they were going to leave after the first half, I was telling them, but no, they're great. I feel like that's the energy we need when we have slow starts, we don't want to disappoint them, and we always want to put on a show that they can keep coming back."
"You got TCU another good one coming in. Speak to the game and speak to how you know you got to keep the mojo going for it."
Brooks - "They are great at everything, they're great perimeter shooters. They're huge, they have like three girls that are 6'8. They have great sizing, and that's going to be a tough game. I think it's going to be very exciting, as well, and we get to play them at home. Last year we lost by three, so it will be good to play them at home and try and get revenge.
Jones - "We are already watching film. Just ready to play for sure."
PACK PERFORMERS
- Pierre recorded her third-consecutive double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds
- Brooks nearly recorded a double-double in the win with 14 points and nine boards
- Jones rounded out the scorers in double figures for NC State with 10 points. She also seven rebounds and a team-best five assists
- Adelaide Jernigan scored her first collegiate points with a layup in the game's final minute
- Tilda Trygger led NC State defensively with three blocks
- After leading 9-5 after the first quarter, the Pack outscored the Black Bears, 40-22, in the second and third frames to take a 49-27 lead into the fourth
- The Pack's win in its home open moves its home winning streak to 24 games, now the fourth-longest active streak in the country.
- With its victory, NC State moves to a perfect 8-0 all-time against Maine
COACH MOORE QUOTES
Coach Wes Moore Opening Statement
"In the first half we had four assists and six turnovers, so I guess we are gonna find the positive. We had 10 assists and three turnovers in the second half, so that was much better. We just got to share the ball more and continue to work on that, instead of putting our head down and going one on one, that's when we get in trouble and turn it over. We also got to start knocking down some shots. When the other team's playing zone and you're three-for-20 from three, it's tough. I think we are capable of doing it, but we gotta at some point step up and get it done. But, again, a quick turnaround from Sunday's disappointment and we were able to survive it. Now we have a little extra time to get ready for TCU on Sunday."
"Coach, you went on an offensive drought until about the 12- minute mark, called a timeout, and then made five of your six next shots. What changed?"
Coach Moore: "Well, I let the assistant coaches handle it for the first quarter and a half, then I took over. I think we got the ball inside a little more and pushed the tempo better in transition. We've got players inside capable of scoring, and we need to make sure they get touches. Until I see the film, that's probably the best I can do right there."
"Khamil recorded her third-straight double- double tonight. Can you talk about her impact?
Coach Moore: "Yeah, I was real proud of the effort she gave in the second half in particular. She's got a high ceiling, but I think there's times she needs to stay a little more engaged and a little more focused. I thought the second half, she did an unbelievable job of that. She was attacking the rim, she was crashing the boards. She's very capable of guarding the ball. I thought the second half was definitely the best she's played since she's been here, and hopefully that momentum will carry over. "
"There's a lot of focus on Maryland, Tennessee, and TCU coming up. What value does playing teams like Maine have? What value do they bring to the team this early in the season?"
Coach Moore: "TCU's ranked 17th in the country, and we lost down there last year by just a couple points, but even with all the talent we had. They reload every year and do a great job recruiting out of the portal. Maryland and Tennessee are the same way, programs that prepare you for the gauntlet of ACC play. These games make us better. They expose things we need to fix, and give us a chance to see where we stand. It's all about getting ready for March. Every one of these challenges has value, but we've got to step up and play better."
UPCOMING
NC State will stay at Reynolds Coliseum as a part of its four-game homestand to host No. 17 TCU on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Tickets for the game are still available to be purchased HERE.
