CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – In a heart-pounding ACC battle that went down to the wire, NC State women’s basketball edged out Virginia 78-76 in overtime at John Paul Jones Arena on a Saturday game that was suppose to be played on Sunday. The Wolfpack (now 14-6, 7-2 ACC) built a commanding early lead but had to dig deep to fend off a furious Virginia comeback, showcasing their resilience and ability to close out tight games under pressure. This win marks NC State’s fourth straight victory over the Cavaliers (14-6, 6-3 ACC), improving their all-time series lead to 45-41.
Image courtesy of @PackWomensBball
The Pack came out firing, dominating the first half with stifling defense and efficient scoring. They held Virginia to just 24% shooting (8-34 FG) in the opening 20 minutes, including a dismal 6 points in the first quarter – the lowest quarterly output by an ACC opponent this season for NC State. Khamil Pierre anchored the interior with 8 points and 9 rebounds in the half, while Zoe Brooks poured in 14 points to help build a 34-18 halftime advantage. The Wolfpack’s largest lead came early in the third at 18 points, but that’s when the Cavaliers flipped the script.
Virginia, fueled by Kymora Johnson’s sharpshooting (26 points, 6-14 from three, 9 assists), mounted a relentless rally. The Cavs outscored NC State 48-32 in the second half and overtime, including a blistering 29-18 fourth quarter where they hit 8-12 from beyond the arc. UVA erased the deficit entirely by the end of regulation, tying the game at 66-66 after Johnson’s clutch three-pointer with seconds remaining. In overtime, Virginia even briefly led by 2 points at 74-72 with 1:16 left, but NC State refused to fold.
What stood out was the Wolfpack’s poise in crunch time – a hallmark of Coach Wes Moore’s teams. Despite shooting just 36.4% from the field overall (24-66) and struggling from three (4-14), NC State capitalized on free throws (26-32, 81.3%) and dominated the glass (46-45 rebound edge, led by Pierre’s 12 boards). They turned 15 Virginia turnovers into 21 points and scored 32 in the paint, weathering the storm by executing in key moments. The game featured five ties and four lead changes, with NC State leading for nearly 40 minutes, but it was their ability to “put the Cavs away” in the extra period that sealed it. Brooks and company went on a decisive 6-2 run to close out the game, including perfect 8-10 free throws in OT.
At the center of it all was sophomore guard Zoe Brooks, who delivered a career-high 37 points – surpassing her previous best of 33 set against No. 1 Notre Dame on February 23, 2025. Brooks was unstoppable, shooting 8-15 from the field, 2-2 from three, and a staggering 19-20 from the line – the most free throws made by a Wolfpack player in a game since 2000. She added 5 rebounds, 5 assists, a block, and a steal in 42 minutes, essentially willing her team to victory.
Supporting Brooks, Pierre contributed a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds), Zamareya Jones added 14 points (including 2-6 from three), and Tilda Trygger chipped in 8 points and 7 boards. The bench was quiet with just 2 points, but the starters’ grit made the difference. For Virginia, Johnson’s heroics nearly stole the show, with Tabitha Amanze adding 14 points and Samyah Smith grabbing 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
This gritty road win keeps NC State in the thick of the ACC race, tied for third place. They’ll look to build on this momentum when they travel to Boston College next Thursday. For a team that’s faced the one of the nation’s toughest schedule, closing out close ones like this could be the key to a deep March run. Go Pack!
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