Clutch run leads NC State past Georgia Tech in ACC women’s tournament semifinals, 66-61

The comeback kids did it again. It looked like this was going to be Georgia Tech’s day, and the Jackets led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but there’s never any panic from this NC State team, which again put its head down and made the clutch plays late to turn this one around completely.

Kai Crutchfield was a huge part of the rally, scoring eight points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer that cut State’s deficit to one point with five minutes to go.

This group has a lot of well-earned confidence that it can work its way out of all sorts of predicaments, and we saw that fully on display in the waning minutes. Taking a cue from Crutchfield, Elissa Cunane scored NC State’s last eight points, including a couple of big buckets that turned a 59-58 deficit into a 63-59 lead with 90 seconds left.

Cunane continued her great tournament with 23 points on 8-13 shooting, with nine rebounds as well. Kayla Jones scored 12, and Kai Crutchfield and Jakia Brown-Turner each added 10.

This win should cement at least a two-seed in the NCAAs for NC State, and the Pack has an opportunity to hop up to the top line by beating Louisville in the ACC title game Sunday. That should be a heck of a game.