QUICK TAKES: Wolfpack Women Remain Undefeated
NC State continued its unbeaten run Thursday when the seventh-ranked Wolfpack traveled to Winston-Salem and defeated Wake Forest, 59-50, at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Pack moved to 21-0 on the season with the victory. NC State is 8-0 in ACC play and is in sole possession of first place in the conference.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kiara Leslie: 23 points (8-16 FG, 6-8 FT) and 5 rebounds
Leslie scored 17 of her 23 points in the second half, including 11 in the third quarter as NC State always kept Wake Forest at arm's length. She was particularly effective off the dribble as her drives to the basket gave the Demon Deacons problems all evening.
Turnovers
NC State committed only seven turnovers in the contest. The Wolfpack valued the ball well, which maximized its offensive possessions in regards to getting up shot attempts.
Second-Half Shooting
NC State made nine of 14 field goal attempts (64.3 percent) after intermission.
The Wolfpack did not push the pace in the second half, or throughout the game for that matter, and it helped offset the lack of depth NC State faces with three players out for the season due to injuries. Leslie, with her dribble penetration, helped the shooting percentage greatly. The Pack did not settle for three-pointers, an issue against Clemson, and was able to eat clock without having empty possessions.
Only seven NC State players saw time on the court Thursday. To continue to be successful, the Wolfpack will need efficiency because the number of bodies available has dwindled.
LOWLIGHTS
Free Throw Shooting
NC State: 17-of-30 (56.7 percent)
NC State missed more than two free throws for every five that was attempted. In the second half, it was worse and a chance to pull away was squandered. The Wolfpack made only 10-of-22 free throws after intermission. The victory was not as comfortable as it could have been.
PLUS/MINUS
+/- is the points scored by a team minus the points allowed by a team while a certain player is on the floor.
| PLAYER | +/- |
| Kai Crutchfield | +10 |
| Aislinn Konig | +9 |
| Kiara Leslie | +8 |
| Erika Cassell | +6 |
| DD Rogers | +6 |
| Elissa Cunane | +3 |
| Kayla Jones | +3 |
STAT OF THE GAME
Lead Time
NC State: 39 minutes, 13 seconds
Wake Forest: 10 seconds
Tied: 37 seconds
QUOTE OF THE GAME
“When you go on the road you better be able to handle adversity. They’ve done a nice job of that. You put a [winning] streak together like this you have to show up every night ready to play so I’m proud of them for that.” -- NC State head coach Wes Moore