For the second time in as many weeks, Virginia women’s basketball suffered a double-digit loss to North Carolina State Thursday at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C. The Cavaliers (8-7, 0-4 ACC) were lacking on both ends of the court, allowing the No. 6 Wolfpack (15-1, 3-1 ACC) offense to dominate while failing to hit shots of their own, losing by a score of 93-66. Thursday’s game marks the fourth straight loss for Virginia, who has fallen into a rut as of late.
The game began with NC State seemingly unable to miss a shot, converting on 10 of their first 13 attempts. The Wolfpack’s offensive prowess allowed them to build a large lead of 31-13 by the end of the first quarter. Graduate student forward Mimi Collins, junior guard Aziaha James and freshman guard Zoe Brooks combined for 23 of NC State’s first 31 points.
It was much of the opposite for the Cavaliers, as nobody aside from fifth-year forward Camryn Taylor was able to get much of anything to fall. Taylor was the only Virginia player in the first quarter who converted more than one field goal attempt, as she accounted for three of six makes on 23 attempts for the team.
The second quarter continued in a similar fashion, with NC State continuing to build an insurmountable lead and the Cavaliers struggling on both ends of the court. The Wolfpack never held a lead under double digits and built their advantage up to 23 points by halftime.
NC State had four players reach double figures at the half, Collins and Brooks among them. The Wolfpack had maintained impressive shooting percentages, finishing the half shooting 60 percent from both the field and beyond the arc. NC State was in complete control of the game, managing 15 more points from turnovers, seven more points in the paint and 20 more points from fastbreaks.
Virginia’s only bright spot continued to be Taylor, who managed to score 13 by the half. She was joined in double figures by freshman guard Kymora Johnson, who added 10 points on four for 11 shooting.
The second half continued to be all Wolfpack as they steamrolled the Cavaliers’ defense, building a lead as large as 34 points. Virginia was unable to launch a sustained comeback despite outscoring NC State in the fourth quarter. Taylor eventually fouled out for the Cavaliers, seeming to be the proverbial nail in the coffin of a game that had been decided after the first quarter.
Taylor finished with 22 points and six rebounds, while Johnson added 14 points and four assists for Virginia. The Cavaliers shot a rough 33 percent from the field and 26 percent from three to go with 17 turnovers. The game ended with a score of 93-66, with the Wolfpack dominating in nearly every statistical category of the game.
Despite the tough performance, it was nearly expected given the dominance NC State has displayed this season. Nonetheless, Virginia must look to improve as they have yet to pick up a single win in ACC play.
The Cavaliers’ tough schedule continues Sunday as they look to bounce back against No. 20 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. The game is set to tip off at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Network.
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