Wake Forest University
NC State
Women's Hoops Falls At NC State, 65-62
2/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State women's basketball defeated Wake Forest 65-62 on Sunday, Feb. 23. The Pack, now 11-14 overall and 6-8 in the ACC, shot 52 percent from the floor and had three finish in double figures. Senior Carisse Moody led the Wolfpack with 14 points. Wake Forest (12-13, 2-12 ACC) finished with four in double-digits, which included a game-high 18 points from Tiffani Listenbee.
"The team played a hard-fought game," said NC State head coach Kay Yow. "We played against a Wake Forest team that had nothing to lose and everything to gain. We had to defend our home court, but knew that when they click, they are dangerous."
"I have a heavy heart," said Wake Forest head coach Charlene Curtis. "I am working with a group of women who don't know how to quit and although we have lost 12 games coming into today's, they are still giving their all. I am disappointed for them, yet very proud of them."
After honoring two NC State players, Moody and junior Kaayla Chones, for reaching the 1,000 career-points milestone, the Wolfpack netted the first bucket of the game. The Demon Deacons however, went on a 6-0 run to jump out to a five -point lead in the opening three minutes. That lead was the last time Wake Forest would have for the remainder of the half. NC State persisted and went on a 14-4 run from the 9:15 mark to the 3:44 mark to take an 11-point lead at 33-22. The Pack eventually carried a nine-point lead into the break. The lead was due in part to 16 points from the Wolfpack bench. Moody paced the Pack with nine points, while sophomore Liz Bailey chipped in seven. The Deacs had zero bench output, but was guided by both Listenbee and Erin Ferrell who tallied a game-leading 13 and 10 points respectively. As a team, NC State shot 53.8 percent on 14-26 shooting and had just eight turnovers.
NC State continued to run the show heading into the second half as it took a commanding 13-point lead after four minutes to stand at 43-30. But the command was short-lived, as Wake Forest was the pursuant this time around. The Deacs went on a 9-0 splurge within the next three minutes to bring themselves within four. The Wolfpack maintained its lead until the Deacs again took a long run, this time it was a 14-4 toll, bringing the game to a heated 60-60 score. The final seconds of the game proved to be critical in the Pack's victory. Wake Forest took a one-point lead with 1:16 to go. The score sat at 62-61 until 13 seconds were remaining. NC State junior Alvine Mendeng hit a clutch 12-foot jumper to put the Pack ahead 63-62. In its final possession, Wake Forest missed the go-ahead jumper and Wolfpack junior Terah James, who was promptly fouled, corralled the rebound. James then stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to ensure the win at 65-62.
"We made a great defensive stop and came up with a big rebound on Wake's last play," said Yow. "When we got the lead, we would have liked to build on it. We stayed poised down the stretch."
NC State scored 27 points off Wake Forest's 22 turnovers and held a 21-4 edge in the bench points category. The Pack shot 52 percent on 26-50 shooting and made 11-13 from the line. In addition to Moody's 14 points, the Pack saw junior Nanna Rivers record a season-high 13 points, in addition to her four assists, two steals and three rebounds. Mendeng finished with 10 points and three boards. Wake Forest's Tonia Brown and Ferrell each chipped in 14 points, while Cotelia Bond-Young added 10.
NC State will play its final home game on Thursday, Feb. 27, against Georgia Tech, at 7 p.m.. Wake Forest will host Clemson in its last home game on the same date. Georgia Tech defeated Clemson 78-63 on Sunday.
