Squeaking by: NC State women remain perfect at home after win over Miami
There’s often a sense of inevitability when N.C. State plays at Reynolds Coliseum. It doesn’t matter how big a deficit the Wolfpack might be facing, there’s always a sense of hope. A comeback bubbling under the surface. That proved to be true once again Thursday night.
N.C. State defeated Miami 76-74 to remain perfect on its home court and earn its ninth straight victory.
Guard Zoe Brooks drove to the basket with 47.1 seconds remaining. The sophomore was 3-10 before attempting the shot, unable to find her typical groove in the paint, but that didn’t matter. Her two points ended up being the winning play.
N.C. State’s (20-4, 12-1 ACC) defense has been its calling card under head coach Wes Moore. This season, it has held opponents under 65 points per game. In ACC play, opponent scoring rises to roughly 69 points per game. It allowed Florida State to score 74 points in Tallahassee, but that was 16 points fewer than the Seminoles’ average. Still, the win over Miami was the fourth straight game that the Pack allowed more than 70 points.
With Miami (13-11, 3-10) scoring just 70 points per game, and coming off a 41-point blowout at Duke, the Wolfpack was favored by nearly 20 points. Except the defensive urgency did not show up Thursday night.
N.C. State gave up 40 first-half points to Miami and allowed the Hurricanes to shoot 53% from the field.
“Even though we gave up some points Sunday at Florida State, I thought we really played well defensively. I thought we were locked in. I thought we had energy and urgency and focus,” Moore said. “We gave up 26 points in the first quarter. I thought we took a step back. You just can’t do it in this league.”
The Wolfpack’s struggles continued in the second half as it gave up 34 points on 13-27 (48.1%) shooting in the second half. The team allowed the Hurricanes to shoot 50% overall. N.C. State, specifically, could not guard the 3-point line — Miami scored 30 points from it. At the end of the third, the Hurricanes shot 50% from the outside.
Additionally, the Hurricanes outscored the Pack 20-9 in transition. They finished with six layups and two 3s on the fast break.
Defense finally came for the Pack in the fourth as it held Miami to a game-low 12 points and forced a scoring drought of 3:45.
“Was it because we were struggling offensively that we maybe let down a little bit and defensively lost our mojo? Maybe,” Moore said. “Did we maybe look at who all were playing in this stretch and let down a little bit? Maybe. I don’t know.”
Three Miami players finished in double figures, led by Haley Cavinder with 20 points and eight rebounds. Cavinder missed the final layup, securing the Wolfpack’s win. Natalija Marshall contributed 17 points and made all three attempts from deep. Another two finished just below the 10-point threshold.
The Wolfpack was led by Madison Hayes in points and rebounds, while Aziaha James and Tilda Trygger added double figures. James scored 15 points and pulled down six rebounds. Trygger notched 10 points and six boards.
Moore said he reminded the team of his McDonald’s French fries analogy: No matter where in the world a person orders McDonald’s French fries, they’ll be hot and salty. Currently, it’s hard to tell what might happen during any given game.
“That’s what we need to be. No matter where we are, who we’re playing, where we’re at, whatever,” Moore said. “It’s about us. We can control us. We have to show up every night, try to be great every night, and don’t worry about the other team’s record, stats, whatever. Watch the film, see what they’re capable of, and get ready.”
Here are three takeaways from the victory.
Stagnant offense makes night difficult
N.C. State entered Thursday night’s game as one of the best offenses in the nation. It did not look like an offensive threat against the Hurricanes, at least early on.
The Wolfpack scored 42 first-half points on 17-of-38 shooting. It also finished with 10 assists on made shots. The numbers, however, don’t show the full picture.
N.C. State looked tired and confused for most of the opening two quarters. Moore had to call Saniya Rivers back to catch Devyn Quigley’s inbound pass. On another play, Rivers stood on the baseline for the inbound after looking surprised to be the one making it.
In the half court, despite the number of assisted baskets, the Wolfpack stood around. There was little movement with or without the ball. Additionally, the team settled for too many jump shots. It attempted four first-quarter layups on 18 total shots.
The first-half performance was a stark contrast to the kind of showing the Pack has put on in recent weeks.
N.C. State entered the game averaging 77.5 points per game on the season and 82.4 points per game in conference play. In the last four games, the Wolfpack has scored 361 points, including a season-high 97 at Florida State.
Awou provides assistance inside
Freshman Lorena Awou made her sixth straight appearance and provided a significant lift on the interior. Awou entered the rotation in the first quarter after Trygger was called for two first-half fouls, including one seven seconds into the game.
The rookie forward entered the contest playing a key role in her recent outings, scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds.
Against the Hurricanes, Awou contributed seven points and five rebounds in her 11-minute appearance.
Moore said Awou didn’t have her most efficient outing, noting she’s not quite a back-to-the-basket kind of center yet. She’s much better on the pick and roll.
Despite shooting 3 of 6, Awou still provided height and length that helped the Wolfpack stay competitive in a game where the defense struggled to stop the visitors.
“We’ve always told her like she can take herself as far as she wants to go,” graduate student Madison Hayes said. “She’s got to be in there, be focused, be ready to play, go out there and do what you’re supposed to do. Do your role. She might not score a 15, might not get a double-double, but good Lord, she’s gonna go in there (and) roll, get some and-1s, get some big rebounds for us. She’s doing what she’s supposed to, and I’m proud of her for that.”
Hayes reaches 1,000 career points
Hayes made a layup as time expired in the first quarter, giving the guard her 1,000th career point. Hayes has scored 927 points in an N.C. State uniform and finished the game with 19 points and seven rebounds. Sixteen points came in the second half.
The guard transferred to N.C. State after her freshman season at Mississippi State. She played a key role in the Wolfpack’s Final Four run, providing leadership, 37 points and 49 rebounds.
Hayes is the third Wolfpack player this season to reach 1,000 career points. Rivers achieved the feat during N.C. State’s win against Virginia Tech on Jan. 26.
Hayes said the milestone is particularly meaningful, because she got to do it at Reynolds Coliseum and achieved it on her late grandfather’s birthday.
The graduate student said her college career has been special, coming to N.C. State as a sophomore and developing into a key contributor.
“Being a part of that (2021-22) team was just amazing,” Hayes said. “I probably didn’t play as much, but I learned a lot from them. Then, junior and senior year. It’s been great going to the Final Four. Not a lot of people can say that. Scoring my 1,000 points, not a lot of people can say that, either, and scoring it at home. I think it’s just amazing. I have a great team.”
This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM.
