Raleigh Celebrates as NC State Women’s Basketball Opens Season with a Bang
Raleigh, N.C. – The atmosphere in Reynolds Coliseum was absolutely electric on opening night for the NC State women’s basketball team. Fans filled the stands, eager to witness the unveiling of the 2024 NCAA Final Four banner and cheer on their beloved Wolfpack. And what a show they got! The Pack dominated the game against East Tennessee State University (ETSU), wrapping up an impressive 80-55 victory.
A Strong Start and a Few Bumps
The game kicked off with Saniya Rivers making history by scoring the first points of the 2024-25 season with a stellar three-pointer. This quick spark started a mini run, putting the Pack ahead early. But things were a bit rocky initially, as NC State found themselves in a scoring drought for over three minutes. In a surprising twist, the Buccaneers didn’t score their first points until there were just 4:20 left in the first quarter. After a tightly contested quarter filled with back-and-forth plays, the Pack ended the first quarter just slightly ahead, leading 10-8.
ETSU Makes a Play, but NC State Responds
The second quarter saw some intense action. The Buccaneers fired up a 10-0 run midway through, taking their first lead of the game at 20-14. It seemed as though the momentum might shift. But never fear! Mallory Collier stepped up to break the Pack’s spell with an important layup, initiating a successful run of her own. With aggressive defense and some impressive teamwork, NC State closed the half strong, taking a slim lead into the locker room at 29-26.
Second Half Showdown
When play resumed, the Wolfpack roared out of the gates with a quick 7-0 run. The highlight? A second-chance three-pointer by Rivers that had the crowd on its feet! As NC State built a comfortable lead of 12 points following a layup by Madison Hayes, the Buccaneers managed to claw back, cutting the lead to just seven with a minute left in the third quarter. But Aziaha James had other plans and delivered a crucial three-point play, pushing the score back to a ten-point advantage for the Pack at 57-47.
Dominating the Fourth Quarter
The final stretch of the game was nothing short of spectacular for the Wolfpack. They outscored ETSU 23-8 in the fourth quarter, sealing the win with a remarkable 9-0 run to finish strong. Lorena Awou made her mark as well, scoring five points in her debut collegiate outing.
A Solid Overall Performance
As the buzzer rang, it was clear that NC State had hit its stride in the second half. They scored an impressive 51 points after halftime and limited turnovers to just two in the second half, a significant improvement from the first half. Standout performances included Zoe Brooks, who scored a career-high of 21 points, while Aziaha James added on with 17 points, 15 of which came in that crucial second half.
What’s Next for the Wolfpack?
Looking forward, the Wolfpack is set to face a hefty challenge against the already-ranked No. 1 South Carolina on November 10 as part of the Ally Tipoff. Mark your calendars for November 14 as they return to Reynolds Coliseum to take on Kent State at 7 PM on ACCNX. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season ahead for NC State women’s basketball!
