PackWBB.com

RALEIGH – NC State took care of business against Georgia Tech, winning 87-58 to improve to 2-0 in ACC play and secure their third consecutive victory, raising their season record to 8-4. The Pack showcased impressive runs, including a dominant 20-0 stretch in the third quarter, building a lead as large as 43 points in what marked their final home game of the season.

Six players for NC State scored in double figures, with Zamareya Jones leading the way with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. The team outperformed the Yellow Jackets in several key statistical categories, including points off turnovers (14-8), points in the paint (34-20), second-chance points (5-2), fast breaks (17-14), bench points (32-8), and rebounds (44-31).

Jones set the tone early by scoring eight of the Pack’s first ten points, going a perfect 4-of-4 in the opening quarter. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech began strong from beyond the arc, knocking down 4-of-6 three-point attempts. At the media timeout, the Yellow Jackets briefly held a 16-14 lead with 4:25 remaining in the first quarter. However, NC State answered back with back-to-back three-pointers from Qadence Samuels and Maddie Cox, followed by a buzzer-beating layup from Jones to end the quarter with a 26-20 lead.

The second quarter saw Jones and Destiny “Ky’She” Lunan each sink three-pointers, igniting a 12-0 run as NC State surged ahead, leading by 12 points at 32-20. The Pack continued their offensive dominance, making their next five field goal attempts and extending the lead to 44-27, prompting Georgia Tech to call a timeout. Following the timeout, NC State maintained the momentum, going on a 10-0 run and holding the Yellow Jackets to a scoring drought of 2:58 as they outscored them 29-11 in the quarter, finishing the half with a commanding 55-31 advantage and shooting 66 percent.

In the third quarter, Georgia Tech managed only a single three-pointer within the first 8:54, as NC State induced another scoring drought and culminated a 20-0 run, concluding the frame with a 22-3 advantage. The 3 points scored by Georgia Tech in this quarter tied for the third fewest allowed since the adoption of the quarter system in 2015, marking the lowest total since 2017.

While Georgia Tech found a bit of momentum at the start of the fourth quarter, outscoring NC State 12-4 in the initial minutes, the Pack still held a comfortable 81-46 lead with 4:51 remaining. Devyn Quigley began to find her rhythm, contributing five points in the fourth. Despite Georgia Tech finishing the game with a 6-0 run and outscoring NC State 24-10 in the final quarter, the Pack secured the victory with a final score of 87-58.