Wolfpack Survives to Win Fourth ACC Game

NC State came into the matchup especially thin in the frontcourt. Sophomore forward Tilda Trygger came down with an illness after the win over Stanford and was ruled out before Sunday’s game. That news, along with word that sophomore center Lorena Awou was no longer with the team, meant the Wolfpack had just three healthy bigs between Khamil Pierre, Maddie Cox and Mallory Collier. 

Moore’s rotation shrank to just seven players in the first half, with Destiny Lunan and Mallory Collier coming off the bench to help the Wolfpack in limited minutes. Cal didn’t pose much of a threat from a size standpoint, so NC State’s guards were able to operate without the presence of a defensive threat in the paint. 

Pierre, normally accustomed to playing more of a stretch-four role, played at the four and the five alongside Cox and Collier at different points. She faced more physicality than normal and handled it well until she was poked in the eye early in the third quarter, coming out of the game for a stretch. When Cal took a one-point lead, Moore sent Pierre back into the fight. 

Pierre takes over 

As Cal made its push during the third quarter and Pierre checked back in, the tension in Reynolds Coliseum was palpable. The junior forward came out with a little more of an edge and attacked the basket relentlessly. With Zoe Brooks slowing down slightly after a dominant first half, Moore needed the best of Pierre as Cal’s offense continued to play efficiently. 

The Vanderbilt transfer scored eight of her 21 points in the third quarter, helping NC State win the period 19-9. She came up with a massive offensive rebound with under a minute left in the period, kicking out to an open Qadence Samuels, who buried the shot to give the Wolfpack a 56-45 lead. 

Guards get it done 

With the diminished front court, NC State needed its dynamic duo of guards at its best. Luckily for Moore and the Wolfpack, Brooks and Zam Jones were on point for most of the afternoon. Brooks paced the team throughout the first half, riding the high of her quality form against Stanford. She scored 13 of her 19 in the first half. 

Jones came alive in the second half. She distributed brilliantly in the third quarter and brought a much-needed intensity on the defensive end for the Wolfpack. As Cal made one last push in the fourth quarter, Jones killed the life with a stepback 3-pointer. The Golden Bears continued to trade baskets with Brooks and Jones during the quarter.

The defense of both Brooks and Jones helped NC State force 20 Cal turnovers, while those two combined for just three giveaways in the entire game. Brooks ended the game with four steals, while Jones chipped in with one of her own. They got help from Samuels, who played one of her best games with the Pack to date, scoring 13 points and going all 40 minutes.

Unfortunately, Jones suffered an injury in the final minute of the game. She dumped off a nice pass to Pierre for another layup and her seventh assist, but immediately crumbled to the ground, grabbing her lower leg. She was helped off the court by two members of the NC State staff. After the game, Moore suspected that Jones’ injury was likely an ankle sprain. 

Final Word

NC State's win gives the team room to maneuver in the conference very early in the ACC schedule. However, Jones' injury is definitely a cause for concern given the team's lack of depth and continued battle with illnesses. Brooks will need to continue playing at a high level to ensure the Pack doesn't slip up in the next week.

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