Redemption in Raleigh as Wolfpack women avenge earlier loss to Tar Heels
There would be no comeback this time.
North Carolina’s women’s basketball team has had a habit of rallying in the second half, and N.C. State knows all about it. But that wouldn’t be the case on Sunday in Raleigh. The Wolfpack used a strong second half from senior Aislinn Konig to defeat the rival Tar Heels, 76-68, at Reynolds Coliseum.
When the two teams met earlier this month, N.C. State led by 10 at the break, only to watch UNC dominate the second half to come back and hand the Wolfpack (19-1, 8-1 ACC) its first loss of the year. This time around, there was no letup for N.C. State.
Konig scored 11 points in the second half, including consecutive 3s late in the fourth to push the lead to 10 with less than five minutes remaining. The Tar Heels (14-6, 5-4) have trailed at the half in seven consecutive games and came back to win three. Konig and company made sure that wouldn’t happen again.
After UNC started the third on a 13-9 run, pulling to within two on a 3-pointer from Leah Church, the Wolfpack countered with a 13-2 run. State led by 10 heading into the fourth, and that’s when Konig took over, scoring six in the final quarter of play.
“As a team I want us to succeed,” Konig said. “I try to take open, good shots, and today they were falling for me. I’m sure if they weren’t falling for me someone else would have done it. We came together in the end and played good defense.”
Elissa Cunane redeemed herself against the Heels. After scoring just eight points in the first meeting, she finished with a team-high 22 points and 17 rebounds, her 11th double-double this season.
Shayla Bennett led UNC with 24 points, carrying the load with Janelle Bailey spending most of the game in foul trouble. She fouled out in the fourth quarter with eight points and four rebounds.
With Bailey on the bench, Taylor Koenen put the team on her shoulders in the first half. The only senior in the starting lineup played like she wanted to make sure the Tar Heels swept their regular-season matchups with the Wolfpack. Koenen poured in 16 points in the first half. A layup by Koenen late in the second quarter pulled UNC to within one, 28-27, but the Wolfpack closed the half on a 9-3 run.
Bailey went to the bench with her second foul early in the first quarter and somehow the Heels played better without their second leading scorer and top rebounder. The Wolfpack led by 11 when Bailey went to the bench, but Carolina battled back, thanks to a 7-0 run to remain in striking distance.
The Tar Heels pulled to within one twice, but never got back in front. Carolina led 1-0 to start the game, but N.C. State countered with a 10-0 run. UNC chipped away at the lead and kept it close thanks to 10 first-half turnovers by the Wolfpack.
Cunane, who was held to eight points in the first meeting between the two rivals, scored 11 in the first half for the Wolfpack, and Kayla Jones chipped in with 10. The combined 21 points weren’t enough to slow down the Heels and Koenen, who had to get creative with scoring with Bailey seeing limited duty.
N.C. State finished with four players in double figures, led by Koenen with 21 points.
The win was the fourth in the row for N.C. State. UNC has gone 2-2 since upsetting the Wolfpack in Chapel Hill 17 days ago.
“This is why you come to N.C. State,” Konig said. “You come here for big games, with amazing crowds and high stakes.”
AND ONE
N.C. State outscored UNC 23-20 in the third quarter. The last time the two teams met, the Wolfpack only scored eight points in the third quarter.
PERSONAL FOUL
Cunane shot more free throws (16) than the entire UNC team (14). She connected on 14 as the Wolfpack shot 18 for 24 from the foul line. Only two Tar Heels — Koenen and Bennett — attempted free throws.
ICYMI
Cunane had a total of 11 points in the last two games against North Carolina. She had 11 in the first half.
MAKING SENSE OF THE NUMBERS
264: Number of made career 3s by Konig, who is in second place in school history.
2: Number of UNC players in double figures. Coming into the game all five Carolina starters averaged at least 11.1 points per game.
12: N.C. State is a perfect 12-0 at home this season.
This story was originally published January 26, 2020 at 9:00 PM.
