After the No. 2 NC State loss in overtime to No. 17 Georgia on Thursday night, coach Wes Moore feared his team were going slow against Virginia.
“Damn, I had a hangover from losing the other night. Heartbreaking, and a lot of things you think about, ”Moore said. “But I think they did a good job to have energy. I’m really proud of what they’ve done with the schedule we’ve played. “
NC State was brisk on Sunday, shooting 50 percent from the ground to rout Virginia 82-55.
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Elissa Cunane had 17 points and six rebounds, and Raina Perez added 16 points on a 6 for 6 shot for NC State (11-2, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Camille Hobby added 10 points.
Amadine Toi led Virginia (3-8, 0-1) with 20 points. Taylor Valladay added 11.
NC State used a 19-9 run early in the second half to pull away. Cunane had eight points on this streak. She also had two interceptions in the game and made all five free throws.
“We knew we had to finish this game. It was our main goal, ”said Cunane. “To come out with the ‘W’ in the ACC game, it makes us excited to come back and dive back in and get into a full league game. “
BIG PICTURE
Virginia: It wasn’t enough to beat NC State, but the Cavaliers shot remarkably well from behind the arc, posting a record nine points to 3 points. Virginia shot better than 40% at 3 points for the third time this season.
“Anytime our kids have the chance to see the ball come in it’s great for confidence,” said Virginia coach Tina Thompson. “In the ACC, to win games, playing defense is not enough. You also have to be able to score the ball. There is no night’s rest in the ACC. Shooting is definitely a good thing for us. “
NC State: After suffering their second loss of the season, the Wolfpack responded by blowing up a conference foe. The Wolfpack turned the ball over 16 times against Georgia and reduced that number to 10 against the Cavaliers. NC State also forced Virginia to make 20 turnovers.
KEY CAMILLE
When Cunane was off ground, NC State didn’t lose much production at center position. On top of his goal tally, Hobby had a rebound, steal and block for the Wolfpack in 11 minutes on the bench. The 6-foot-2 junior helped NC State pass Virginia 38-28 and beat the Cavaliers 34-20 in the paint.
“I love Camille,” Moore said. “Just to be honest – in this era of the transfer portal we’re in – sometimes it’s rare for a player to stay and continue to work hard. Obviously, Elissa is a great player and Camille is a great player. We are very lucky to have him here. We will continue to have his minutes. ”
SURVEY IMPLICATIONS
With the loss to Georgia, NC State is expected to drop in the polls, but rebounding with this win over Virginia should put the Wolfpack into the top 10.
FOLLOWING
Virginia: In Texas Southern Wednesday.
State of North Carolina: In Clemson December 30.
