Wolfpack rolls to 93-66 win over Cavaliers

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia fell behind early and could not recover as seventh-ranked NC State defeated the Cavaliers, 93-66, Thursday night at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. 

The Wolfpack, who shot 48.5 percent from the field, had five players score in double figures. Virginia forward Camryn Taylor led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting and sunk a pair of free throws. Taylor has now led the Hoos in scoring in their last four contests. Thursday’s game also marked Taylor ninth consecutive outing with double-digit points. 

Kymora Johnson also scored in double figures with 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting and had four assists. Alexia Smith led the Cavaliers in rebounding (9) and assists (6). 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Wolfpack (15-1, 3-1 ACC) led 29-13 at the end of the first after connecting on 10 of their first 13 attempts from the field. NC State went on to shoot 61 percent in the opening period, while the Cavaliers (8-7, 0-4) shot just 26 percent. The Wolfpack led 14-9 before scoring 11 unanswered points. Taylor led all UVA players after the first with seven points, while NCSU had three players with seven points. 

NC State stretched its lead to as many as 23 points in the second quarter, and ultimately led 57-34 at the break. Fifteen of their 57 points were off seven Cavalier turnovers. Taylor had 13 points at the break, but three Wolfpack scorers were also in double figures. 

Yonta Vaughn scored all seven of her points in period No. 3 after hitting three of her five attempts from the field, including one from beyond the arc. Although the Hoos outshot NC State in the third, six turnovers – to the Wolfpack’s one – hindered UVA’s ability to cut into State’s lead. The Wolfpack grasped their largest lead of the game [79-45] with 1:16 remaining in the third. 

The Hoos outscored State 16-12 in the fourth quarter. Half of UVA’s points were from Taylor, who fouled out midway through the period. Both teams traded 8-0 runs in final five minutes of play as UVA held the Wolfpack without a made field goal in the final 3:00 of action. 

NOTES

• With 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting two made free throws, Taylor led the Cavaliers in scoring for the fourth straight game. 
• Taylor’s 22 are her highest in an ACC game this season. 
• Taylor has scored in double figures in UVA’s last nine games. 
• With the win, NC State extended its lead in the all-time series with the Cavaliers, which began in 1974, 43-41. 
• NC State’s 93 points are the most by a UVA opponent in a single game since Notre Dame scored 103 in South Bend on March 3, 2019. 

UP NEXT
Virginia concludes its two-game road swing on Sunday, when the Cavaliers travel to No. 20 North Carolina. Tipoff from Carmichael Arena is set for 4 p.m. on ACC Network.