Leslie, Lady Wolfpack School Hampton on Education Day
Raleigh, NC – The 10th-ranked NC State women’s basketball team (9-0) continued its perfect start to the 2018-19 season with a one-sided 83-51 win over Hampton Wednesday morning on Kay Yow Court inside James T. Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum.
Wednesday was NC State’s Education Day, during which more than 2,000 fifth graders from the Wake County Public School System attended the game.
NC State trailed 5-0 just 1:41 into the game, but the Wolfpack stepped on the gas pedal by shooting 8-13 (.615) from the field during the opening 10 minutes to take 23-9 advantage. The Wolfpack extended its lead to 19 points (41-22) at the halftime break and would allow Hampton no closer than within 13 points (52-39 with 2:17remaining in the third quarter) at any point during the second half.
Kiara Leslie led all players with 24 points on impressive 8-12 shooting and 12 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. She was joined in double figures by 16 points from Aislinn Konig and 12 from Grace Hunter (4-5 FG). Sophomore Kai Crutchfield dished out a career-high seven assists during a game in which the Wolfpack recorded 20 assists against just nine turnovers.
Laren Vanarsdale (15 points), Ashley Bates (14), and Kaylah Lupoe (10) all scored in double figures for the Pirates.
Postgame Notes
-NC State has now won 25 consecutive home non-conference games and is 37-4 inside Reynolds Coliseum since returning in 2016-17 after the renovation.
-Konig has now hit at least one three-pointer in 42 consecutive games dating back to Nov. 15, 2017.
-NC State is 2-0 against Hampton.
-Freshman Jada Rice scored her first collegiate basket in the victory.
-NC State’s defensive rebounding total (28) matched Hampton’s cumulative rebounding total. The Wolfpack finished with 41 after including 13 offensive rebounds.