NC State Wolfpack Blows Past Stanford for the Victory
Following their 89-84 victory over Florida State on Thursday, the Stanford Cardinals hosted NC State. No. 21 NC State visited Stanford, aiming to regain their winning streak after a loss to the California Golden Bears. Leading into the game, forward Nunu Agara was a Stanford player to watch, topping the charts in points, rebounds, and assists. For the Wolfpack, the spotlight was on Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers, and Zoe Brooks. Today's game was the first time the two teams faced each other in conference play this season. The Wolfpack triumphed over the Stanford Cardinals, and here's the breakdown of how they did it.
The game began with both teams missing their first layups. Elena Bosgana broke the ice for Stanford with a putback and Aziaha James aided with a three-pointer. Despite NC State's struggles to score, Shay Ijiwoye and Brooke Demetre made key blocks. Tilda Trygger finally made a layup assisted by Zoe Brooks, marking Stanford’s first two points. Brooks then got a steal but turned the ball over, allowing Chloe Clardy to score. Trygger added another two points with an assist from Devyn Quigley. Hayes scored for Stanford, followed by another three from Ijowe, extending the Cardinals’ lead to four points. Saniya Rivers hit a three for NC State, but Stanford quickly answered with another three from Clardy. A turnover by Stanford allowed Nunu Agara to score off the backboard, and Madison Hayes made a three for NC State. Tess Heal wrapped up the first quarter with a block after getting a whistle and a foul against Stanford.
Stanford missed a second chance opportunity to start the second quarter. Saniya Rivers quickly stripped the ball from the Cardinals, allowing Mallory Collier to score two points. Collier followed up with another layup for NC State. Tess Heal responded with a layup for Stanford, but Madison Hayes knocked down a three-pointer. Collier continued to dominate in the paint, helping the Wolfpack take the lead. Chloe Clardy then drove to the basket, putting Stanford back up by one. Rivers made a layup out of a timeout, followed by another layup from Ijiwoye. Laci Steele hit a three-pointer for Stanford, assisted by Maddie Cox, and then knocked down another three. Elena Bosgana stole the ball from Stanford and made a layup before the buzzer.
Aziaha James started the second half with a jumper for Stanford, followed by a basket from Nunu Agara. Madison Hayes responded with a three-pointer, and a turnover by Chloe Clardy led to a layup by Zoe Brooks before Stanford called a timeout. Brooks then nailed a three with an assist from Tilda Trygger. NC State answered back with a layup, and Brooks pulled up for another jumper, bringing the Wolfpack to 50 points. Clardy attacked the paint for Stanford, while Rivers hit a three-pointer. Mary Ashley Stevenson added a layup for the Cardinals. Rivers secured an offensive rebound and scored two points. Nunu Agara knocked down a three for Stanford, and Collier made a layup. Brooks hit a triple, and James finished the third quarter with a drive and a layup.
NC State won the jump ball to start the fourth quarter, with Tilda Trygger quickly scoring a layup. Chloe Clardy made a three-pointer, matched by Aziaha James for the Wolfpack. Brooke Demetre responded with a three-pointer for Stanford. Both teams exchanged layups, followed by another three-pointer from Clardy. Demetre secured a steal, but Elena Bosgana missed the shot, and Trygger blocked for the Wolfpack. Tess Heal drove down the court for a layup, and Bosgana added another layup, prompting NC State to call a timeout. Bosgana energized the crowd with yet another layup. Saniya Rivers managed a steal from Stanford, but NC State missed both scoring opportunities. No further points were scored by either team for the remainder of the game, leaving the final count at 81-67.
Every starter for the Wolfpack finished the game in double digits, collectively securing 67 points for the team. Mallory Collier and Laci Steele contributed an additional 14 points off the bench. Guard Saniya Rivers achieved a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. For Stanford, Elena Bosgana and Nunu Agara tied in points, with Agara earning her own double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Bosgana was close to a double-double, needing just four more rebounds. Chloe Clardy led the Cardinals in scoring with 17 points. Both teams shot a perfect 100% from the free-throw line. NC State had a slight edge in field goal performance and significantly outperformed Stanford in three-point shooting.
You can watch the 9-7 Stanford team in action again on January 16th as they take on the 7-9 Wake Forest. This game will be crucial for both teams, as Wake Forest has lost their last three games. NC State will return to the court next Thursday, facing Pittsburgh at Reynolds Coliseum. Pitt enters the game with a 9-9 record, while the Wolfpack will come in at 12-4. After their recent victory against the SMU Mustangs, Pitt will face a tough challenge as they go head-to-head with NC State.
