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NC State

NC State upsets No. 2 UConn on a national stage

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell11/12/23ethanmmcdowell
NC State women's basketball
RALEIGH, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Players of the NC State Wolfpack celebrate their victory against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Reynolds Coliseum on February 16, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. NC State won 77-66 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

NC State fans packed Reynolds Coliseum and enthusiasticaly watched the Wolfpack record a massive win over No. 2 UConn. Through lights-out defense, efficient shooting and 33 points by junior guard Saniya Rivers, the program defeated the Huskies 92-81 on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks to a dominant fourth quarter, led by 12 points from junior guard Aziaha James, the Pack pulled away from its opponent and defended its home court with its first win over Connecticut since 1998.

UConn came out with a defensive intensity that translated into 7 early points off of turnovers by the first media timeout. NC State stopped the Huskies’ momentum and narrowed the deficit to 2, before a 7-0 run by the visitors to end the quarter gave them a 9-point lead. Connecticut finished the period with 13 points off of Wolfpack miscues. 

In the second quarter, the freshmen provided a spark. Guard Zoe Brooks scored 10 points, and forward Maddie Cox hit a massive 3 that cut the deficit to 3 points with 6:25 to go in the period. NC State chose to run with a small lineup to spur a 6-0 run, with Mimi Collins and Cox guarding post players. 

Another 7-point scoring burst by the hosts, capped by a Rivers jumpshot, helped NC State take its first lead of the game. The Pack led 42-39 before Connecticut hit a pair of shots in the final minute of the half to take a 43-42 advantage into the break. 

Rivers led all players with 15 points in the first half. She also added 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, including a stop at the rim against UConn star forward Aaliyah Edwards. To wrap up her career-high scoring day with 33 points, the junior guard also contributed 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

Her outstanding game continued into the second half, scoring 8 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in the third period. NC State held the Huskies to just 14 points in the period and led 62-57.

Then, the Wolfpack pulled away, allowing 4 points in the first 4:30 of game time in the fourth. James hit 2 threes, and River Baldwin scored her 6 points of the game all in the final period. NC State outscored its opponent by 12 points in the fourth quarter.

James finished with 18 points in 22 minutes, Brooks added 12 points and 4 rebounds, and Collins led the Wolfpack with 8 rebounds.

NC State moves to 2-0 on the season and returns to Reynolds Coliseum Nov. 15 for a matchup with Elon at 7 p.m.

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