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NC State women’s basketball falls to South Carolina in Final Four

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1 month ago

April 7, 2024

NC State women's basketball falls to South Carolina in Final Four

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Within the first half of Friday’s Ultimate 4 recreation, 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 photographs to open the third quarter, stretching the result in 12 factors earlier than the media timeout. Nevertheless, the stoppage did not settle down the Gamecocks, as their lead ballooned to as many as 24 earlier than the tip 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.

Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Wes Moore reacts against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

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 towards her previous group, however she could not faucet into her regular-season type on Friday. The All-ACC guard and former Gamecock made simply considered one of her first 9 photographs, ending the sport with simply 5 factors and 5 turnovers.

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This continued a chronic chilly stretch, having made a mixed 9 baskets on 29 makes an attempt towards Stanford and Texas.

Baldwin’s up-and-down protection

Senior heart River Baldwin was tasked with defending an All-American in Kamilla Cardoso, and did so with combined outcomes. Cardoso had a superb offensive efficiency in most regards, scoring 22 factors together with making her first six photographs. Nevertheless, 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 at the least three steals in a recreation.