NC State women’s basketball traveled to the John M. Belk Center for a non-conference matchup against the Davidson Wildcats. The energy was high for the Wolfpack from the tip, leading to a lopsided first quarter, but the Wildcats gave the Wolfpack a scare in the second half.
Davidson (9-5) came into this matchup on a seven-game win streak at home, looking to light up the nets out the gate. But poor shot selection mixed with great perimeter defense from the Pack (9-4) handed the Wildcats their lowest-scoring quarter of the season with four points. The Wolfpack stormed into Charlotte with an early 16-point lead, using the momentum from its blowout-win against Georgia Tech to propel it over the Wildcats 68-59.
Junior forward Khamil Pierre was a force to be reckoned with in the first quarter. She owned the paint with nine points, four rebounds and a block. Pierre finished the game with 23 points and 13 rebounds, securing her eighth double-double of the season.
The game wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Pack, as a crucial second quarter allowed for the Wildcats to crawl their way slowly back into the game. After going 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, the Wildcats hit three big triples in the second. NC State attempted to match these 3-pointers, but only shot 2-for-8 in the second quarter, paling in comparison to the first quarter when it shot 50% from three.
The third quarter was much of the same, as the Wildcats swished four triples while the Wolfpack went 0-for-5 from three-point range. After such a dominating first quarter in the paint, the Pack adopted a “If it isn’t broke, fix it” mentality with a barrage of missed 3-pointers. In an era where you live or die by the three, the Wolfpack was certainly dying. The Wildcats outscored the Wolfpack 24-15 in the third, setting the table for an electric fourth quarter.
The Pack led 49-46 at the end of the third, and returned to its roots in the fourth, getting the ball to Pierre and letting her go to work near the hoop. Her presence in the paint allowed for junior guard Zoe Brooks and sophomore guard Zamareya Jones to slice into driving lanes for high-percentage jumpers and layups.
The Wolfpack won the game at the free-throw line, as it was 9-for-10 from the line in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats certainly gave the Wolfpack a good scare, but they were just no match for the inside game and length that the Pack brought to Charlotte.
Sophomore forward Tilda Trygger was a big reason for the Wolfpack’s win. While she didn’t stuff the stat sheet, the 6-foot-6 forward was a huge intimidation factor in the paint, and the Wildcats decided they would rather try their luck from long range, rather than challenge her in the paint. Trygger had two blocks and seven rebounds to go along with her seven points.
Jones and Brooks were crucial in the win, as Jones finished with 19 points and Brooks with 14. Jones was the only starter to record a 3-pointer, as the starting lineup went a combined 3-for-13 from 3-point range.
The Wolfpack shot 22% from three, something that can’t happen against ACC opponents. The Wolfpack was fortunate that Davidson only made 10 of the 30 three-pointers shot, or else it would’ve ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
The Wolfpack has now won five out of its last six, and looks to continue its winning streak against Stanford on Jan. 1 in Reynolds Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
