Within the first half of Friday’s Ultimate 4 sport, you may by no means inform NC State ladies’s basketball the chances.
Regardless of dealing with the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks — and regardless of being listed as 11.5-point underdogs — the Wolfpack got here to play. Whereas NC State trailed for almost all of the primary half, the deficit was by no means greater than two possessions. The rating was tied on the finish of the primary quarter, and by the half, South Carolina solely led by a single level.
By the second half, although, the underside fell out. SC made seven of its first 9 pictures to open the third quarter, stretching the result in 12 factors earlier than the media timeout. Nonetheless, the stoppage did not settle down the Gamecocks, as their lead ballooned to as many as 24 earlier than the top of the quarter.
From there, South Carolina was largely on cruise management in a 78-59 victory over NC State, ending the Wolfpack’s quest for a nationwide championship in Cleveland, Ohio.
Third-quarter collapse seals destiny
The Wolfpack (31-7) trailed on the half, however solely due to a missed Mimi Collins free throw. Regardless of maintaining it shut for 2 quarters, NC State was boat-raced by the Gamecocks (37-0) within the third.
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The Wolfpack’s once-formidable protection allowed 29 factors on 60% capturing, whereas the offense could not even start to select up the slack. South Carolina’s protection held the Wolfpack to only one made basket — an Aziaha James layup — and 6 whole factors within the third quarter.
Rivers flat vs. former group
Saniya Rivers had an opportunity to make a press release in opposition to her outdated group, however she could not faucet into her regular-season kind on Friday. The All-ACC guard and former Gamecock made simply certainly one of her first 9 pictures, ending the sport with simply 5 factors and 5 turnovers.
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This continued a protracted chilly stretch, having made a mixed 9 baskets on 29 makes an attempt in opposition to Stanford and Texas.
Baldwin’s up-and-down protection
Senior middle River Baldwin was tasked with defending an All-American in Kamilla Cardoso, and did so with combined outcomes. Cardoso had a wonderful offensive efficiency in most regards, scoring 22 factors together with making her first six pictures. Nonetheless, Baldwin nonetheless tightened up when she wanted to. Baldwin made three steals, tying a career-high. Friday was additionally the primary time since January of 2022 — when she was nonetheless at Florida State — that Baldwin made no less than three steals in a sport.