North Carolina State University Athletics
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NC State’s Fourth Quarter Comeback Falls Short Against UNC on Play4Kay
2/2/2026 9:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH – NC State fell in a close game in the 21st annual Play4Kay game to North Carolina, 61-59. The Pack went on a 9-2 run in the last 2.5 minutes to push within two and had an opportunity off a steal in the last 10 seconds of the game, but couldn't come up with the tie of game-winning shot.NC State outrebounded UNC 41-35 with 12 offensive rebounds. The Pack was led by Khamil Pierre's 14th double-double of the season with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
UNC started out the game 5-of-5 from the field, but NC State countered and took its first lead of the game with 5:23 left in the first with a Zamareya Jones 3-pointer. After a Pierre layup, the Pack led 15-12 at the media timeout with 4:01 left, which was a part of a 13-2 run for NC State. UNC broke its three-minute scoring drought with a layup, but Qadence Samuels knocked down a 3-pointer, as the Pack led 20-14 after the first.
The Tar Heels scored first in the second quarter, but Destiny "Ky'She" Lunan responded with a tough jumper. NC State pushed its lead to eight off a Pierre layup, but UNC answered with a triple. Tilda Trygger broke a two-minute scoring drought with a triple, and at the media timeout with 4:56 left, NC State led 29-22. Pierre delivered a layup to extend the Pack's lead to nine until NC State was held in a three-minute scoring drought to allow the Tar Heels to go on an 8-0 run. Jones then hit a triple to break the drought, sending NC State to halftime with a 34-30 lead.
NC State missed its first six shots in the third quarter, as UNC tied the game at 34. The Tar Heels then took the lead for the first since the first quarter off a triple, but Trygger responded with a layup. UNC outscored NC State 18-8 in the third quarter to take a 48-42 lead after three.
UNC kept taking advantage of NC State's struggle to make shots, making two straight baskets to extend its lead to 10 with 8:59 left in the game. NC State called a timeout, trailing 52-42. Pierre got the Pack on the board for the first time in the fourth quarter with a second-chance jumper. The Pack cut the deficit to six until UNC knocked down two 3-pointers. NC State called a timeout with 4:13 left in the game, trailing 58-48. The Pack then cruised on a 7-0 run, capped off by a Samuels 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two, 59-57, with 59 seconds left in the game. Trygger delivered a layup with 12 seconds left and Brooks forced a UNC turnover off a held ball to give the ball back to the Pack with 10 seconds left. NC State could not find the game-winning shot, falling 61-59.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Wes Moore Opening Statement:
"It was just a rough shooting night. I thought defensively we were on point. We gave up three offensive rebounds to one player, and that was really it. Overall, holding a team to 61 points, I think you've done a pretty good job. We still had some areas where we broke down in the scout, defending certain people and situations, but for the most part, I thought we were solid. Again, the offensive rebounds we allowed were minimal, so good job there. Offensively, though, and I'll take the blame for this too, I thought we settled a lot. We took step backs and fadeaways. We shot two free throws in 40 minutes, so clearly we weren't very aggressive getting to the rim or finding ways to get to the foul line. Again, we were 1-for-12 from three in the second half. It was just a bad night offensively. Like I said, I'll take a lot of the blame for not getting us better looks. But they did a good job defensively and found a way to win."
PACK PERFORMERS
- Pierre finished the game with a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double for her sixth in the last seven games. Her 14 double-doubles this season are tied for the eighth most in a campaign in program history. Ten of the junior's 15 rebounds came in the first half
- Trygger scored in double digits for the 11th time this campaign with 11 points in the loss. The sophomore also collected seven rebounds
- Samuels matched a season-best eight rebounds on the glass, while also scoring in doubles figures with 10 points
- Brooks led the Pack passing game with four assists, while also scoring eight points
- NC State outrebounded North Carolina, 41-35, the 18th time this season the Pack have held an advantage over its opponent on the glass
- The Wolfpack turned the ball over just seven times on the night, tied for its lowest total this season
- NC State outscored the Tar Heels in the paint, 36-26, off the bench, 8-4, and on second chances, 6-3
UPCOMING
NC State will host Florida State on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network.
