The Pack is back in action at home on Sunday, Dec. 3 to host Illinois State. Tip-off for the game between the Wolfpack and the Redbirds is scheduled for 2 p.m on ACCNX, and limited tickets remain for the contest that will also serve as the team's annual alumni reunion.

Another Sunday sellout 👍#GoPack // @PackAthletics pic.twitter.com/lNZHCOpNHl

— NC State WBB 🐺🏀 (@PackWomensBball) December 1, 2023

NC State women's basketball kicks off its December slate of games with a non-conference matchup against Illinois State at home on Sunday.


Tip-off between the fifth-ranked Wolfpack (8-0) and the Redbirds (6-1) is set for 2 p.m. from Kay Yow Court inside Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum. Doors open at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ACCNX, and live radio coverage will also be available on WKNC 88.1 FM in Raleigh and on the GoPack and Varsity Network apps.

Tickets for the matchup are sold out, but fans interested in attending can check SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan marketplace of the Wolfpack

SERIES HISTORY (Illinois State leads 1-0)
Sunday marks just the second all-time meeting between NC State and Illinois State. It will be the first matchup between the two teams since Jan. 8, 1981.

That lone previous matchup between the Wolfpack and the Redbirds also took place in Raleigh, with Illinois State coming out on top by five points (73-68).

https://gopack.com/news/2023/12/2/womens-basketball-5-nc-state-welcomes-illinois-state-to-raleigh-for-sold-out-sunday-game

Illinois State at North Carolina State ACC Network Extra, 2 p.m.

Alumni game! It’s a family affair and a sellout! Let’s Go Pack ❤️

⏰ 2 PM
🆚 Illinois State
📍 Reynolds Coliseum
🎤@AJSandersPxP
🎤@PackErnieMyers
📻88.1 FM
ℹ️ https://t.co/rvMPP2N4eN

— Ernie Myers (@PackErnieMyers) December 3, 2023

Breaking out the Reynolds unis again 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6Tn1SZPpfL

— NC State WBB 🐺🏀 (@PackWomensBball) December 3, 2023

Including Illinois State’s head coach, Kristen Gillespie, who played for Kay Yow’s Final Four team @PackWomensBball Oh, and she’s my cousin who wore the right number at State! Family vs Family for me today. https://t.co/0JbUNMk8Ye pic.twitter.com/eMJ7zo9sHA

— Terry Gannon 🌻 (@terrygannon83) December 3, 2023

pregame show starting on Varsity app

1Q
Media timeout
4:31
NC State 15
Illinois State 9

1Q
NC State 21
Illinois State 15

All Illinois State points on 3 point shots

2Q
4:23
Illinois State timeout

NC State 33
Illinois State 17

Halftime
NC State 39
Illinois State 25

3Q
Injury timeout
5:42
NC State 47
Illinois State 30

3Q
Media timeout
3:21
NC State 55
Illinois State 35

So cool to see @PackWomensBball alumni helping the current team hit the floor after halftime. #PackWBBSeason50 - @ncsucheer - @NCStateAlumni pic.twitter.com/mQxNBw01L8

— Lee (@lee_montgomery) December 3, 2023

3Q
Illinois State timeout
1:11
NC State 62
Illinois State 40 (edit)

3Q
NC State 64
Illinois State 43

4Q
Injury timeout for Maddie Cox

9:19
NC State 64
Illinois State 43

4Q
Media timeout
4:12
NC State 73
Illinois State 52

Final
NC State 79
Illinois State 61

Playing in front of another sold out Reynolds Coliseum crowd, fifth-ranked NC State women's basketball remained perfect at home and on the season with a 79-61 victory over visiting Illinois State.

The Wolfpack improved to 9-0 for the eighth time in its 50-season history as it also welcomed back a large group of former players and staff members from across all five decades.

Aziaha James' 16 points paced the Pack, with River Baldwin (14 points) and Mimi Collins (13 points) joining her in double figures. Madison Hayes, Zoe Brooks and Saniya Rivers each added nine points apiece as well, and all 12 available Pack players saw time in Sunday's win.

Baldwin was once again the team's leader in rebounds with her seven. Hayes had three of NC State's 10 offensive boards, and NC State finished the game with a +8 margin in that category.

The Pack used the opening phases of the second quarter to really separate itself and build up a double-figure distance that Illinois State would not overcome. NC State scored 12 of the first 14 points of the second period and held Illinois State to 1-of-5 shooting and four turnovers to force the Redbirds into using their first timeout. After starting the game by hitting only threes in the first quarter to stay within striking distance, Illinois State shot just 1-of-6 from three in the second as the Wolfpack carried a 14-point lead (39-25) into the break.

NC State shot 60 percent (9-of-15) in the third quarter to push its lead into the 20s on multiple occasions, and Illinois State got no closer than 13 points at any point in the second half. The team finished the game shooting just under 50 percent (32-of-66, .485) after putting up percentages of better than 50 in the first and third quarters.

The Wolfpack tied its season high in made three pointers with nine. James led the squad with three, and Brooks (2), Rivers (2), Collins (1) and Laci Steele (1) also contributed to the tally. NC State also took great care of the ball and had a season-low number of turnovers with only nine.

NC State hosts Liberty on Sunday, Dec. 10 for its last home game in the 2023 calendar year. Tip-off for the contest is set for 2 p.m. on ACCNX, and limited tickets remain available for sale through the NC State Ticket Office. The game against the Flames is the Wolfpack's annual Holiday Game, and all fans are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday sweater.


https://gopack.com/news/2023/12/3/womens-basketball-5-nc-states-commanding-79-61-victory-over-illinois-state-pushes-team-to-9-0