Late Run Helps NC State Defeat Rhode Island

RALEIGH, N.C. – A late fourth-quarter run by North Carolina State helped lead the Wolfpack to a 67-58 victory over the Rhode Island Rams in the Reynolds Coliseum.
 

Forward Mimi Collins reached 1000 career points in the victory.

With the win, NC State improves to 4-0. Rhode Island falls to 3-2 with the loss.  

Instantly, the game started off intensely. After a lot of back-and-forth, the Rams forward Maye Toure made the first basket. The Wolfpack responded immediately with a layup from center River Baldwin. Things continued to go back-and-forth through the first quarter. NC State closed the quarter with a layup by guard Saniya Rivers to close its deficit 17-13.  

Approaching mid-quarter, NC State got a rhythm going as the crowd gets rowdy, going on an 8-0 run to reduce the deficit, 30-26 going into halftime. 

Forward Maye Toure led the Rams at halftime with 11 points and six rebounds. Both forward Mimi Collins and guard River Baldwin led the Wolfpack with six points and six rebounds.   

NC State kept that rhythm from the first half going by scoring first, taking advantage of fouls, and playing aggressively on both sides of the ball to keep the score close. 

The Wolfpack took the lead for the first time since the first quarter with a jumper from guard Aziaha James to make the score 46-45 with 1:12 remaining in the third quarter. The Rams responded immediately with a three-pointer from guard Sophie Phillips to close the quarter, regaining the lead 48-46. 

Back-to-back fouls by guards Zoe Brooks and Saniya Rivers cost the Wolfpack crucial points closing in on the fourth quarter. 

The Wolfpack regained the lead with 3:38 remaining in the game to seal the victory and remain undefeated against the Rhode Island Rams. 

The Wolfpack were led by guard Saniya Rivers who finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. James followed with 17 points and two rebounds. Collins added 10 points and 11 rebounds.  

The Rams were led by forward Maye Toure who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and one assist. Guard Teisha Hyman followed with 12 points and nine rebounds.  

Despite trailing most of the game, NC State stayed consistent in a competitive match to pull off the upset. Guard Saniya Rivers had a good fourth quarter putting up eight points. With a shift mid-fourth quarter, NC State gained momentum to control the game. 

“I thought second half defensively we did a better job,” said head coach Wes Moore when discussing the game outcome. “Proud of the way we came back. Glad to get the W and now we got a big week ahead of us for sure.”  

Rhode Island: Friday at 8:30 pm at Youngstown State  

NC State: Thursday at 3:15 pm vs Kentucky in the Paradise Jam in the US Virgin Islands.