NC State Wolfpack Raina Perez Spectacular Magazine
Sports

Wolfpack Survive Hokies in ACC Regular-Season Finale

Thomas Tripp

BLACKSBURG, VA – Seems like the third-ranked Wolfpack needed some tough competition to close out the regular season.

They did just that, as they survived a tough 68-66 victory over the 23rd-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies, in front of 8,925 people at Cassell Coliseum.

The Wolfpack scored first at 9:24 in the 1st Quarter when Junior Guard Jakia Brown-Turner (Oxon Hill, MD) hit a jumper. She then followed it up with another one at 8:57. Then, Senior Forward Kayla Jones (Jamesville, NC) made a layup, to make it 8-0, at 7:21.

The Pack came flying out the gate, leading 15-6, by the middle of the 1st Quarter. Then, Virginia Tech started to make things interesting as they pulled within 11, by a 23-12 score in NC State’s favor by the conclusion of the 1st Quarter.

Virginia Tech opened the 2nd Quarter when Senior Forward D’Asia Gregg (Florence, SC) drilled a three-pointer, assisted by Senior Guard Kyana Traylor (Martinsville, IN), as the Hokies trailed 23-15 at 9:28. After a Jumper by NCSU’s Boyd, Traylor recorded a three-point play as the Hokies trailed by the score of 25-18, with 7:37 remaining. The Halftime score was NC State leading Virginia Tech by the score of 39-34.

The 3rd Quarter was a see-saw affair for both teams. Junior Guard Cayla King (Greensboro, NC), opened up the Quarter with a layup, then Senior Guard Kai Crutchfield (Raleigh, NC) made a layup, to put the Pack in the driver’s seat, with a 41-36 lead, with 9:20 remaining. Junior Forward Azaina Baines (Blackwood, NJ) followed it up with a layup, for VT to pull within three, as they trailed 41-38 with 9:03 remaining. At 7:55, Elizabeth Kitley made two free throws as the Hokies trailed 45-40. The Wolfpack took a 60-51 lead at the conclusion of the 3rd Quarter.

Aisha Sheppard took a last-second three-point shot in the final five seconds, only for it to fail, as the Wolfpack won 68-66.

Senior Center Elissa Cunane (Summerfield, NC) led the Wolfpack with 22 points. Followed by Cunane, Senior Forward Kayla Jones (Jamesville, NC) followed it up with 12 points and Junior Forward Jada Boyd (Petersburg, VA), came off the bench with 11 points.

For Virginia Tech, Junior Center Elizabeth Kitley (Summerfield, NC), led the way with 18 points, while Senior Guard Aisha Sheppard (Alexandria, VA) added 16 points.

Since NC State is the top seed in the ACC, they have a “bye” until Friday, March 4th, when they face the winner of Florida State/Boston College in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, NC. On the other hand, the 23rd-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies play the winner of Clemson/Syracuse on Thursday afternoon, since they’re the 5th seed in the Tournament.