Raleigh, NC – NC State women’s basketball (20-3, 8-3) suffered its first home loss of the 2023-24 season on Thursday night, dropping a 72-61 decision to ACC foe Virginia Tech (19-4, 10-2).
The Wolfpack saw three players finish in double figures, led by Madison Hayes who tabbed a team-best 20 points. Aziaha James finished the evening with 17 points, while Saniya Rivers contributed 12.
A fast-paced first half saw the Wolfpack and Hokies trade leads a whopping 14 times, with NC State’s largest lead coming at four points on three separate occasions while Virginia Tech held a six-point edge twice throughout the opening half.
The Hokies ended the first half by scoring 10 of the frame’s final 12 points, giving Virginia Tech a four-point advantage at halftime with the Hokies on top 37-33 at the break.
Virginia Tech came out fast in the second half, opening the third quarter on an 11-3 run to push its lead to 12 points at 48-36, either team’s largest of the game to that point.
The Pack worked the Hokies’ lead down to two possessions after a 6-0 run of its own, but another response from Virginia Tech would put the Hokies ahead 57-44 at the end of the third quarter.
While the Wolfpack outscored the Hokies in the fourth period, the 13-point deficit NC State inherited at the beginning of the final frame proved to be too much to overcome.
The Wolfpack hits the road for the first time in two weeks to take on Pittsburgh in a Super Bowl Sunday matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for noon from the Petersen Events Center, and the game will be broadcast live on ACCNX.