NC State WBB Upsets UConn at Home

RALEIGH N.C. – Guard Saniya Rivers scored a career-high 33 points to lead the North Carolina State Wolfpack to a 92-81 victory over the UConn Huskies in Reynolds Coliseum.

With the win, NC State improves to 2-0. UConn falls to 1-1. 

For the first time since 1998, NC State is victorious against UConn. 

Despite a rather slow start, guard Saniya Rivers had back-to-back jumpers along with a three-pointer from guard Madison Hayes to close their deficit 13-9 with 5:19 remaining in the first quarter

The second quarter started with a lot of back-and-forths, going on a 15-5 run, with guard Zoe Brooks contributing six points, two layups, and a jumper. Rivers top it off with a layup to tie the game at 5:48 left in the half.

NC State played hard on both sides to wrap up the half and kept the score close heading into the halftime break trailing by one.

At halftime, UConn led NC State 43-42. Guard Saniya Rivers led the Wolfpack with 15 points and three rebounds.  For the Huskies, guard Paige Bueckers led the way in the first half with 13 points and two rebounds.

NC State took the lead approaching the mid-third quarter with a three-pointer made by guard Madison Hayes. 

Closing in on the third quarter became more of a battle with back-to-back scoring for both teams. The Wolfpack finished the half with the lead for the first time in the game. 

The Wolfpack began to take control of the game, going on an 11-0 run before finishing the game with a victory in front of a loud, sold-out crowd, 92-81. 

NC State was led by guard Saniya Rivers with 33 points and 10 rebounds. 

After the game, Rivers spoke about her performance,  ” I just knew I had to show up today for my teammates, whether it was scoring on the defensive end, giving an assist to my teammates, it didn’t matter.”

Guard Paige Bueckers led the Huskies with 27 points and three rebounds.

Up next, NC State will host Elon on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. EST in Reynolds Coliseum.