Beal starts, scores 26

NEW YORK -- Sharnise Beal scored a career-high 26 points in her first start of the season to lead N.C. State to a 78-58 women's basketball victory over Columbia on Monday.

Tia Bell added 14 points for the Wolfpack (6-6). Shayla Fields contributed 12 points and five assists.

The Wolfpack expanded a 10-point halftime lead by shooting better than 62 percent in the second half. The lead grew to 24 points after a free throw by Fields with 8:44 to go.

Coach Kay Yow did not feel well and was not on the bench for the Wolfpack, missing a game for the first time since she took a 16-game leave of absence during the 2006-07 season after a reoccurrence of breast cancer.

(From NCSU News Release)