Big win in enemy territory: Three takeaways from NC State women’s basketball’s win at FSU
N.C. State did not suffer from a post-rivalry hangover Sunday, following up its impressive win over Duke with a Top-25 road victory.
Despite being a 4.5-point underdog, the Wolfpack scored a season high in a 97-74 win over Florida State in Tallahassee. It was the Pack’s first win at FSU since 2017, and the victory carries several implications.
No. 14 N.C. State (19-4, 10-1 ACC) snapped the Seminoles’ six-game winning streak and 12-0 home record to remain No. 2 in the league.
Just about everything went in the Wolfpack’s favor on its trip south — and its eye-popping scoring deserves attention — but its defense, especially in the first half, stood out.
No. 22 Florida State (19-5, 9-3 ACC) entered the contest scoring 90.5 points per game in ACC play and hit the century mark seven times this season.
N.C. State held the Seminoles to 31 points in the first half and led by 20 going into the intermission. FSU shot 13 of 36 (36.1%) from the field and 2 of 8 (25%) from 3 during that stretch. After the win, the Wolfpack is now 15-0 when leading after two quarters.
The Pack defense couldn’t sustain the same efficiency in the second half, but its intensity still forced two FSU scoring droughts of at least two minutes and six missed baskets. Plus, the team hello Florida State under 40% from the field overall; nearly 6.5% lower than their season average.
Ta’Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson provided significant contributions for the Seminoles, but N.C. State kept the duo at bay.Latson leads the nation in scoring per game, recording 26.2 points, and surpassed 30 points six times this season. She even scored a 40 piece against Virginia Tech. Latson led all scorers with 23.
Timpson, meanwhile, averages 17.3 points and an ACC-leading 10.8 rebounds. The forward ended the game with 14 and nine, respectively.
N.C. State’s defense turned its pressure into points all day, forcing 13 turnovers and scoring 13 points from the Seminoles miscues.
Head coach Wes Moore said the Duke win was huge, but the team didn’t guard very well. It gave up 83 points at home. He wants to hold teams under 70; preferably under 60.
“I didn’t get upset. I told the players, ‘Y’all got to decide if you want to be here, or if you want to take it up to here, you have to make a commitment to guarding,’” Moore said, gesturing with his hands. “What they did today was unbelievable.”
Five Wolfpack players scored in double figures, with Aziaha James and Zoe Brooks surpassing 20. Brooks tied her career high with 21 points — she scored 15 in the first half — dishing out seven assists.
James, coming off a 36-point career high over Duke, went for 22 points, five boards and three steals.
One of the biggest questions coming in was whether freshman Tilda Trygger could compete with Timpson on the interior. Trygger notched her second double-double of the season, scoring 16 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. She scored 10 points on second-chance opportunities. The rest of the team had 13.
“Aziaha has been on a roll. Zoe’s playing at a high level right now. Madison Hayes — her experience,” Moore said. “Then, Tilda. I thought this was kind of Tilda’s breakout today against one of the top post players in the ACC. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Hayes remains important though underrated
After the Wolfpack’s 2024 Final Four run, Madison Hayes returned to N.C. State for a fifth season instead of turning pro or becoming a graduate transfer. Her impact cannot be understated this season.
Hayes remains one of the Wolfpack’s do-it-all glue players, providing toughness and leadership as the team navigates every part of the season. She recorded 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists in the win.
On the season, Hayes is providing 10.2 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds. The Wolfpack is 12-1 when she scores in double figures and 9-0 when she pulls down eight or more boards.
Saniya Rivers plays tough
The senior guard hasn’t had the easiest go this season. She’s dealt with some form of illness during multiple games this season, including taking an IV before the JMU game in December. That was the case again on Sunday.
Moore said Rivers has a virus. She still finished with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, two blocks, one steal and three stops. The senior spent most of the afternoon guarding Latson and deserves credit for keeping the nation’s best scorer from getting too hot.
“She hadn’t been able to eat,” Moore said. “For her to go out and guard one of the best players in the country in Latson the way she did was unbelievable.”
Wolfpack can’t get complacent
N.C. State should be pleased with its overall record — especially considering its slow start to the season and concerns with the post play.
It’s won eight games in a row and 15 of its last 16. The schedule sits in the Top 25 for the NET and strength of schedule. N.C. State also has three wins against Top 25 opponents. The team, however, can’t let up.
The Wolfpack is ranked No. 14 at the time of publication and No. 22 in the NET rankings. Its resume features an unblemished record when playing non-Quad 1 games. It is 3-4 in those remaining contests. The win over FSU goes down as a much-needed Quad 1 victory.
It currently has three remaining Quad 1 win opportunities: Notre Dame, at North Carolina and at Georgia Tech. The team plays Miami — which lost at Duke, 90-49, on Sunday — this week and hopes to build on its recent success.
“It’s the ACC and every game can bite you. We’ve seen that,” Moore said. “We’ve still got a long way to go. We’re probably kind of on that bubble for hosting (an NCAA Tournament Regional) and things like that. We’ve got a lot on the line right now. Our resume is building, but we’ve still got to finish it off.”
