NC State WBB Stays Hot in Win Over Vanderbilt

RALEIGH, N.C. – Forward Saniya Rivers scored 22 points to lead the North Carolina State Wolfpack to an 70-62 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores in the Reynolds Coliseum.  

With the win, NC State improves to 8-0, making it win number 250 for head coach Wes Moore. Vanderbilt falls to 7-1 with the loss.  

The Commodores made the first bucket. NC State responded quickly after taking advantage of fouls with a layup from guard Saniya Rivers to match the energy that continued throughout the first quarter. 

The second quarter started much like the first, with a lot of back-to-back scoring. However, NC State had more of an advantage forcing fouls on the Commodores by playing more aggressively. Guard Laci Steele shoots a three-pointer that set up NC State for an 11-0 run approaching halftime, closing out the half 35-26. 

Guard Jordyn Cambridge led the Commodores at halftime with nine points and two rebounds. Guard Saniya Rivers led the Wolfpack with 15 points and five rebounds. 

The brawl continued as guards Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers went back-to-back on scoring. The Commodores responded with a layup from forward Khamil Pierre and jumper from guard Madison Greene.  

The Wolfpack started the fourth quarter with two three-pointers by guards Zoe Brooks and Saniya Rivers to begin securing the game. 

Vanderbilt was able to capitalize off a few mistakes by NC State throughout the fourth quarter to close the deficit but not soon enough to make a comeback, finishing 70-62. 

The Wolfpack were led by guard Saniya Rivers who finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.  Guard Aziaha James followed with 14 points and five rebounds while center River Baldwin contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.  

The Commodores were led by guard Jordyn Cambridge who finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Forward Sacha Washington followed with 14 points and seven rebounds.  

NC State was able to force fouls on Vanderbilt and take advantage, allowing them to extend the lead starting late in the second quarter and eventually take control of the game for good to get the win. 

” We both came out undefeated. That was a tough team. Well coached and well disciplined team and we just came into the fourth quarter like we had it in the bag,” guard Saniya Rivers said when discussing what happened in the fourth quarter.

Up next  

Vanderbilt: Sunday 2 pm versus LA Tech  

NC State: Sunday 2 pm versus Illinois State