NC State’s tournament run comes to an end in 71-57 loss to Mississippi State

Basketball is simple sometimes. NC State and Mississippi State both shot 3-11 from three-point range, but NC State was 17-41 from two (41.5%) and the Bulldogs were 25-42 (59.5%). That is the entire story of this game, which unfortunately represents the end of a nice run by a good Wolfpack team.

NC State overcame a fast start from the Bulldogs, erasing an early 10-point deficit to take the lead, but it was Mississippi State that controlled this game, and NC State eventually ran out of the patience and stamina it needed to keep rallying.

This was a game of rallies from start to finish for the Wolfpack, and that is a tiring endeavor. This NC State team also has no depth, so getting things back together after falling behind by double digits is extra complicated. It did not work out this time.

Kiara Leslie was tremendous, scoring 27 points on 8-13 shooting, but she was the only Wolfpack player in double figures, which sums up this game well. Not enough help, not enough breaks, and this is the end. Alas.