NC State vs Kansas State: Live observations from NCAA tournament second round game
The N.C. State Wolfpack and Kansas State Wildcats battle for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Monday’s showdown is the fifth overall meeting between the two teams. N.C. State leads the series 3-1. The Wolfpack defeated the Wildcats 90-69 in November. N.C. State is 14-3 all time in second round games.
The News and Observer’s Jonas Pope IV is on site for the game and will have live observations from the arena.
Lineups
The Pack is expected to go with its usual starting lineup of Raina Perez, Kai Crutchfield, Jakia Brown-Turner, Kayla Jones and Elissa Cunane. N.C. State is 28-2 with that lineup. Kansas State is expected to go with its lineup of Jaelyn Glenn, Serena Sundell, Brylee Glenn, Emilee Ebert and Ayoka Lee.
The big matchup is the one between Lee and Cunane. In the first game between the two, Lee had 19, Cunane finished with 18.
Balanced scoring
Eight different Wolfpack players have led the team in scoring this season. Cunane has led the team 14 times this year. Perez led the team with 16 points in round one. It was the third time this season she’s led the team in scoring. Five players scored in double figures against Longwood.
Cunane sits early
Cunane picked up her second foul at the 6:37 mark of the first quarter. Cunane went to the bench and Camille Hobby came into the game. Ayoka Lee had four early points
Faces in the crowd
Some former Wolfpack stars and ACC bigwigs were in Reynolds for the second round game. Former NC State football players James Smith-Williams (Washington Commanders) and Alim McNeill (Detroit Lions) came in together to support the Pack. Former women’s players Keisha Gatling and Miah Spencer were also in attendance. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips sat court side to take in the action.
NC State 43, Kansas State 27 - Halftime
The Wolfpack outscored the Wildcats 26-14 in the second quarter, even with All-ACC center Elissa Cunane watching. Cunane picked up two quick fouls and only played four minutes in the first half.
It wasn’t an issue as N.C. State used a 12-0 run to pull away. K-State went the last 7:48 of the first quarter without a field goal. Filling in for Cunane, Camille Hobby scored 8 points in 17 minutes of action.
This story was originally published March 21, 2022 at 3:54 PM.
