Three-Point Barrage Leads NC State Over Pitt
RALEIGH, NC – Behind a school-record tying 16 three-point makes in a game, the 2nd ranked NC State Wolfpack dominated the Pitt Panthers 83-53.
The Wolfpack have been outstanding this season in the ACC, as they lead the conference in defensive rebounds per game (32.4), rebound margin (+8.6), field-goal percentage (47.5%), and field-goal percentage defense. (35.5%) They have four players averaging ten points per game, to help pace the conference-leading shooting percentage team.
The Pack came out on fire from behind the three-point line, as they connected on five of their first six attempts from three-point territory to spark a 15-0 run to give NC State an early 20-5 lead at the 3:17 mark in the first quarter. The deficit was cut to 12 as the Wolfpack led 22-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Through the first ten minutes of the game, the Wolfpack was led by Raina Perez with six points, as she hit two of the Wolfpack’s five three-pointers in the first quarter. Pittsburgh was led by Jayla Everett with five points, although she was only 1-9 from the field early on.
The hot shooting from three-point territory continued for NC State, as the Pack connected on three of their first four attempts to start the second quarter to increase the lead to 14 at the 3:51 mark in the second quarter.
At the half, the Wolfpack led by 15, by a score of 41-26. Through the first 20 minutes, the Wolfpack were led by Elissa Cunane with 11 points and seven rebounds and Raina Perez with nine points, with all of them coming from behind the three-point line. Pittsburgh was led by Jayla Everett and Emy Hayford with five points each. The Pack shot 64.3% (9-14) from behind the three-point line in the first half.
The Wolfpack dominated the first four minutes of the third quarter, outscoring Pitt 15-3 to take a 56-29 lead at 5:47 mark in the third quarter. The torrid shooting from three-point territory continued as the Wolfpack were a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the three-point line early on in the third quarter.
The Wolfpack defense was flustering Pittsburgh’s offense early in the quarter, generating three steals and forcing four turnovers.
The Wolfpack went on a 20-0 run in the third quarter to blow the game open and take a 27-point lead (71-34) at the end of the third quarter. Jakia Brown-Turner and Raina Perez had 14 points each and Elissa Cunane had 13 points and eight rebounds to lead the Wolfpack through three quarters. The Wolfpack were 14-20 (70%) from three-point territory through three quarters.
NC State was outscored in the fourth quarter as the bench played the the majoirty of the final ten minutes, but the deficit was too much as the Wolfpack dominated in a great team effort.
The Wolfpack were led by Jakia Brown-Turner and Raina Perez had 14 points each and Elissa Cunane had 13 points and eight rebounds. Seniors Kayla Jones and Kai Crutchfield had great games each, as Jones scored ten ponts, dished out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds. Crutchfield scored 11 points and had four steals. Pittsburgh was led by Sandrine Clesca with 12 points.
“Really good day, nice team win. Good for Kai Crutchfield and Kayla Jones on senior day. They both did extremely well, it was great to see,” NC State coach Wes Moore said following the win.
As a a team, the Wolfpack were a scorching 16-26 (61.5%) from behind the three-point line. It wasn’t just the offense, as the Pack defense forced 23 turnovers and generated 12 steals. All five starters for the Wolfpack scored in double figures in the game.
The Wolfpack, (16-2, 11-2 ACC) will end their regular season Sunday, February 28th, as they head on the road to take on the Syracuse Orange. Tip-off is set for noon on the ACC Network.