Tenth-ranked NC State women's basketball (2-0) picked up a landmark victory on Thursday evening, defeating the visiting Elon Phoenix (0-2) by an 89-55 score in what served as the Wolfpack women's basketball program's 1,000th all-time victory.
Four Wolfpack players finished the night in double figures, led by 18 from
Diamond Johnson. Johnson scored 10 of those in the third quarter alone to help the Pack maintain its lead that it built up in the second quarter.
Camille Hobby, who finished with 16 points, played a perfect first half, posting 12 points on 4-of-4 from the field and 1-of-1 from beyond the arc in addition to a 3-of-3 mark at the free-throw line.
Madison Hayes (11 points) and
Jakia Brown-Turner (10 points) also hit double figures.
NC State started fast, beginning the game on a 13-4 run and forcing Elon into a timeout early in the first quarter. The Wolfpack's defense forced the Phoenix into five turnovers less than four minutes into the game. It set the tone for a strong overall defensive performance that resulted in 23 turnovers forced on the night, the most forced by NC State since its 79-52 decision at Clemson on December 30, 2021.
Elon responded quickly, however, going on an 8-2 run after falling behind 17-5.
Heading into the second frame with a 24-15 lead, the second quarter marked the Pack's third quarter this season holding its opponents to less than 10 points, as NC State limited the Phoenix to just 23.1 percent (3-of-13) shooting in the period.
Offensively, the Pack posted 19 points in the second quarter, led by
Saniya Rivers who posted six points alongside an assist and three rebounds in the frame. Rivers proceeded to tally a career high in rebounds with seven.
The third period was highlighted by Johnson's 10-point frame, and the Pack ended the game by doubling up the Phoenix in the fourth quarter to wrap up the win. NC State never trailed on the evening, dominating all facets of the contest including a 30-6 margin in points off turnovers, a 48-24 edge in points in the paint, a 12-1 advantage in second-chance points and a commanding 22-0 mark in fast-break points.
In addition to Rivers' career high in rebounds, sophomore
Aziaha James posted a career-high three assists, while
Madison Hayes added an NC State-high mark of 26 minutes played in her second start for the Wolfpack.
NC State will now turn its focus to the penultimate contest of its four-game homestand to start the season as Mount St. Mary's is slated to visit Reynolds Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 13. Tip-off for Sunday's matinee against the Mountaineers is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the game set to be aired live on ACCNX.
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