Brown-Turner, Jones Lead NC State Over Wake

WINSTON SALEM, NC –Behind a huge game from Jakia Brown-Turner and Kayla Jones the NC State Wolfpack secured their second straight victory, as they took down the Deamon Deacons 66-47.

The Wolfpack have been outstanding this season in the ACC, as they lead the conference in defensive rebounds per game (32.5), field-goal percentage (47.8%), rebound margin (+9.3), and field-goal percentage defense. (35.7%) They have four players averaging ten points or more and their top seven scorers all shoot 42.5% or better.

The first six minutes of the game were back and forth as Kayla Jones scored five of the first ten points for the Wolfpack to help give them a 10-9 lead at the 3:56 mark in the first quarter. The Wolfpack were getting easy baskets insides, as they scored six of their first ten points in the paint.

After scoring her seventh point of the first quarter, Jones picked up her second foul and had to sit the rest of the quarter. That didn’t stop the Wolfpack offense, as they connected on five of their last seven shots, to hold an 18-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. Jones and Jakia Brown-Turner each scored seven first-quarter points to lead the Wolfpack early on.

After the Wolfpack jumped out to a six-point lead early in the second quarter, Wake Forest responded with a 6-0 run to the tie game at 24 a few minutes into the second quarter. NC State responded by outscoring Wake Forest 15-2 to close the half to take a 39-26 lead going into the half.

At the half, NC State was led by Kayla Jones with 12 points and Jakia Brown-Turner with 11 points. Elissa Cunane had a strong first half with nine points, six rebounds, and three assists. Ivana Raca led the Deamon Deacons with 11 points. The Wolfpack shot 48.5% from the field through the first 20 minutes.

The third quarter was all Brown-Turner, Cunane, and Jones, as they combined to score 19 of the 21 third-quarter points for the Wolfpack. After three quarters, NC State led the Deamon Deacons 60-36. NC State kept the hot shooting going as they shot 53% from the field in the quarter.

Wake Forest outscored the Pack 11-6 in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too much to overcome.  The Wolfpack were led by Jakia Brown-Turner with 21 points, Kayla Jones with 16 points, and Elissa Cunane with 15 points and ten rebounds. Wake Forest was led by Ivana Race with 18 points and six rebounds. 

NC State was able to dominate inside, scoring 40 of their 66 points in the paint. Their defense was tough and physical all game to hold Wake Forest to 31% shooting.  

“I’m really proud of how we played tonight. We had a lot of energy and played a great game tonight,” Head Coach Wes Moore said following the win.

Up next for the Wolfpack (14-2, 9-2 ACC) will be a matchup with the North Carolina Tar Heels at home in Raleigh, NC Sunday afternoon. The Tar Heels took the first matchup between the teams 76-69 in Chapel Hill on February 7^th. This matchup is set to tip-off at noon on ESPN2.