WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

WBB: NC State Outlasts Elon, 88-73

Dec 10, 2012

Raleigh, N.C. — Five Wolfpack players reached double-figure scoring, led by sophomore guard Krystal Barrett’s team-high 14 points, as the NC State women’s basketball team snapped a three-game skid to defeat Elon, 88-73, Sunday afternoon at Reynolds Coliseum.

“I’m excited about the win,” said head coach Kellie Harper. “I told the players you can never take a win for granted. We had some bright spots. We took good shots, we had a lot of assists, and shot 54-percent for the game.”

Barrett shot 5-of-7 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, while junior guard Myisha Goodwin-Coleman scored 13 points on 5-8 shooting from the floor and a 3-of-4 ratio from three-point range to pace the Pack.

The Wolfpack opened the afternoon with a 26-4 in the first 10 minutes of the game, but the Phoenix countered with a 30-16 run the remainder of the period, cutting the NC State advantage to just eight heading into the half. The Pack shot 17-of-33 (.515) from the field, while Elon was 13-of-27 (.481) in the first half.

“My immediate thought was we just weren’t tough enough to get stops,” Harper stated. “Our opponents are scoring more than us off of turnovers, and we have to fix that.”

The Pack’s front court played an important role in fighting off the Phoenix, as juniors Kody Burke and Markeisha Gatling chipped in 12 points apiece, while Burke pulled down a game-high seven rebounds, dished out three assists, blocked two shots and recorded three steals in the contest.

The game was won in the second half, as NC State shot 16-of-28 (.571) from the field to Elon’s 10-of-31 (.323) clip. Overall, the Wolfpack shot 33-of-61 (.541) for the game and 7-of-13 (.538) from beyond the arc, as the Phoenix finished 23-of-58 (.297) on the day and 8-of-22 (.364) from three-point land.

The Wolfpack has now shot better than 50% in consecutive games, and four times overall this season.

Elon (3-4) was led by guard Ali Ford, who scored 26 points and handed out six assists, including a 10-for-10 performance at the free-throw stripe.

“I thought Ashley Eli’s defense was really strong. She did a really nice job on Ali Ford. I don’t think she scored when Ashley was guarding her in the second half.”

NC State (6-4) will remain at home for its next contest, which will be Saturday, Dec. 15 at Reynolds Coliseum against Presbyterian. Opening tip is schedule for 2 p.m.