UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 UConn makes dubious history after stunning loss to NC State

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/12/23

Unranked NC State defended their home floor on Sunday, upsetting No. 2 UConn, 92-81, in front of thousands of rabid Wolfpack fans. However, their miraculous win also helped UConn make some unflattering history.

UConn isn't the first top-ranked team to be upset early in the season as defending champions and No. 1 LSU opened the year with a 92-78 loss to Colorado on Nov. 6.

LSU's loss, paired with UConn's on Sunday, marks the first time in at least 25 years that the Associated Press preseason poll No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams lost before the second poll's release, per Alexa Philippou of ESPN.

NC State trailed UConn by one at the half, 43-42, but overtook the Huskies in the third quarter, taking a 62-55 advantage into the final stanza.

The Wolfpack pulled away in the fourth, leading by as many as 13 points to hold on for the miraculous victory.

Junior guard Saniya Rivers had a monster game for NC State, finishing with a career-high 33 points with 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks.

Meanwhile, guards Aziaha James (18), Zoe Brooks (12) and Madison Hayes (10) all finished in double figures for the Wolfpack.

Saniya Rivers with the steal and TOUGH finish ‍ @PackWomensBball pic.twitter.com/xmbo9zgmay
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) November 12, 2023

As a team, NC State shot better than UConn (52.5% to 46.5%) and outrebounded the Huskies (41-29). Furthermore, 92 points are the most allowed by UConn in a regulation game since 2001.

For NC State, it's their first victory over UConn since 1998.

After the game, UConn's legendary head coach, Geno Auriemma, tipped his cap. Auriemma told NC State head coach Wes Moore they were "10 times better than last year."

"They were just on top of their game more than I remember," Auriemma said via Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider. "We got our asses beat plain and simple."

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