NC State women’s hoops gets even with UNC in 76-68 win over Tar Heels

NC State let the game in Chapel Hill earlier this month slip away with some woeful second-half shooting that allowed UNC to rally from 10 points down. On Sunday night, however, NC State managed to keep the Tar Heels at arm’s length when the Heels made their runs and closed them out with an eight-point victory.

Elissa Cunane struggled in the first meeting against UNC center Janelle Bailey and wasn’t any better from the field this time around, but the difference this time was she earned plenty of whistles. Fourteen of her 22 points came at the free throw line—she made as many free throws as the Tar Heels attempted.

She also accounted for seven offensive rebounds, which is more than NC State hauled in as a team in Chapel Hill. The Wolfpack’s dominant effort on the glass made a considerable difference, as the Pack finished with 17 second-chance points to UNC’s five.

Rebounding and free throws were critical differences, and State also hit 10-21 from three, which was extra important given its dreadful 14-40 (35%) shooting inside the arc. That’s an atypically poor performance for the Pack, though UNC wasn’t a whole lot better (41% on twos), thankfully.

NC State is 19-1 (8-1) on the season and will next hit the road for a three-game trip that begins at Clemson.