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NC State

No. 10 NC State blows out No. 3 Colorado to win Paradise Jam

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell11/25/23ethanmmcdowell
River Baldwin
Mar 3, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; NC State Wolfpack center River Baldwin (1) dribbles the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish center Lauren Ebo (33) during the first half at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

NC State women’s basketball officially holds one of the nation’s best resumes 7 games into the season. For the second time this year, the No. 10 Wolfpack toppled a top-5 program, defeating No. 3 Colorado 78-60 behind a career-high scoring performance from River Baldwin. 

The graduate center finished the game with 26 points and 8 rebounds, dominating from the opening minutes of Saturday’s ranked Paradise Jam showdown. She took home the tournament’s MVP award, and NC State wrapped up its trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands 3-0, taking home the event championship. 

Baldwin has now scored in double figures in three-consecutive games, emerging as an extremely productive center and a reliable presence in the paint over the first 7 games of her second season with the program. 

NC State continued its red-hot momentum from its previous couple of games, jumping out to an early 9-0 lead thanks to 5 points from senior guard Madison Hayes. Graduate center River Baldwin contributed the other 4 points of that run, forcing a Colorado timeout 4:20 into the game. 

Colorado started the game 0-7 from the field, and junior guard Aziaha James drew a couple of early offensive fouls, helping star Buffaloe center Aaronette Vonleh pick up 3 first half fouls that significantly hampered the No. 3-ranked program’s offense. 

The Wolfpack pulled ahead 22-6 at the end of the first quarter, holding Colorado to 3 of 17 shooting, forcing 6 turnovers. NC State scored 22 total points off of Buffalo miscues during Saturday’s win. 

Baldwin dominated in the first half, pacing the program with 16 points. Despite her challenging matchup with Vonleh, who came into the game averaging 18.3 points per game, she surpassed her previous season scoring best in the opening two quarters. 

The Buffaloes won the second quarter 20-19, building a couple of runs that NC State consistently answered. Junior guard Saniya Rivers did not score in the first half but still made a significant contribution with a team-leading 6 assists and 4 boards. 

NC State’s shots started to fall at a higher clip in the third quarter. Baldwin scored 4 quick points to surpass her previous career high. Rivers also started to heat up, scoring all 7 of her points in the period while providing a lockdown presence defensively. She finished the game with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. 

In the final 10 minutes, the Wolfpack maintained its lead and expanded its advantage to as many as 27 points with 7:09 to go. 

Graduate forward Mimi Collins (10 points), James (13 points) and Hayes (11 points) each scored in double figures. 

NC State, still undefeated at 7-0, returns to the court Wednesday, Nov. 29 for a home matchup against Vanderbilt at 7:15 p.m..

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