Instant observations: NC State stifles Duke for in-state rivalry win

No. 4 NC State women’s basketball dominated Duke Sunday afternoon at Reynolds Coliseum, completely stifling the Blue Devils offense. The Wolfpack improved to 16-2, 4-2 in the ACC, after allowing the visitors to shoot just 28.6 percent in the first half.

After dropping its most recent matchup against Miami, a 73-59 setback on the road, the Wolfpack rebounded with a blowout of its own. This was NC State’s first win over Duke since the 2021-2022 season.

Aziaha James sets a new career high

For the second time this season, Aziaha James set a new career high on her home court. The junior guard paced the Pack with 33 points, starting the game with an electric 11 point first quarter that included a pair of threes. When the Wolfpack offense went cold for chunks of the third and fourth quarters, James remained a constant presence on the scoreboard with 20 second half points. She also grabbed 8 rebounds and recorded 2 steals.

River Baldwin is back with the Pack

Graduate center River Baldwin returned to the court and made an instant impact in Sunday’s game. She scored her first points from the line, hit the Wolfpack’s first field goal of the second quarter to snap a scoring drought and finished the first half with 6 points and 1 rebound.

Coming off of an ankle injury suffered Jan. 4 against Florida State, Baldwin logged 18 minutes and finished the contest with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 turnovers and 4 personal fouls. When she was out of the game, graduate forward Mimi Collins played most of the center minutes and finished with a 16 point, 10 rebound double-double.

NC State turned defense into offense

Duke turned the ball over 8 times in the first quarter, and the Wolfpack turned those miscues into 10 points. The Blue Devils boast one of the ACC’s top defenses, allowing 58.9 points per game, but its offensive mistakes gave the Pack some wide open scoring opportunities. NC State shot 42.9 percent in the first half, and its success in transition was a huge reason why.

Junior guard Saniya Rivers swiped 7 steals over the course of Sunday’s win. Not only did that disrupt Duke, but it also led to some easy scoring chances that helped keep the hosts in a rhythm against a tough Blue Devils defense.

Foul shooting provides a boost

Other than one call that led to an irate Wes Moore nearly picking up a technical foul, the Wolfpack rarely allowed the referee’s quick whistle, or Duke’s physicality, knock them off its game plan. In the first half, five Blue Devils picked up 2 personal fouls, putting the Pack in the bonus with 4:16 to go in the second quarter. Two of the visitors’ starters fouled out. NC State knocked down 18 of its 23 foul shots Sunday, including 6 each from James and Collins.