The Wolfpack (8-2) led this game straight from the get-go. It came out of the gate on a 12-0 run, holding the Seahawks (3-4) scoreless almost halfway through the first quarter. The Pack also outscored the Hawks every quarter, even after taking its foot off the pedal in the fourth.
“I thought we came out fast, we ran, we know we’ve been getting better in transition,” senior guard Ashley Williams said. “That’s a big focus we try to have every game, especially in the beginning.”
The Pack was the much bigger team and it definitely took advantage of the mismatches caused by that size difference. NC State dominated the boards with 28 in the first half. The team ended up controlling the boards with a rebounding margin of plus 18.
“I thought we did a great job on the boards in the first half,” head coach Wes Moore said. “We knew coming in that [UNCW] had some kids who were good on the offensive boards, so I was pleased with the way we handled that.”
Its frontcourt put on an impressive display of rebounding and scoring. Starting forwards Chelsea Nelson and Jennifer Mathurin both scored double figures before the first half was done. The duo did not let up off the gas, as Mathurin finished with 17 points and Nelson with 12. Junior forward DD Rogers also did an excellent job of providing energy and effort on the boards. Despite scoring zero points, she came away with eight rebounds in just 10 minutes of action.
“That’s why DD is out there, that’s what she does extremely well.” Moore said. “She’s basically Dennis Rodman with a better [hair]do.”
While the frontcourt was hammering away, the guards also carried their fair share of the work. The backcourt players’ ability to knock down shots and find the open woman played a pivotal role in this win. The leading scorer in this game was senior guard Miah Spencer with 18. She also led the team in assists and steals with seven and four, respectively. Her and her fellow seniors all shot the ball 50 percent or better from the field.
“We’re always the first four on the court before practice,” Spencer said. “We stay after practice, before shootaround and after shootaround. We all know what we have to do and I would definitely say getting shots up outside of practice.”
Williams played a very solid all-around game. She finished with nine points, six assists, five rebounds and one block. Her relentless effort to make the best team play while still getting her shots.
“In spite of her lack of size, she finds a way to get it done,” Moore said. “She’s smart, she anticipates and takes good angles, she has been special for us.”
On Wednesday night, the Pack is back in action, taking on another in-state foe in UNC-Central. The game tips off at 7 p.m.
