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After a disappointing loss to Virginia Tech, the third-ranked NC State Wolfpack rebounded in a significant way by taking down the Pittsburgh Panthers with an 83-47 scoreline last Sunday. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has presented a challenging battlefield, but head coach Wes Moore’s experience guided his team to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
NC State (21-3, 9-3 ACC) showcased their superior athleticism and size in the game against Pitt (7-18, 1-11), dominating the boards with a 47-38 rebounding advantage and outclassing the Panthers with 38 points in the paint. The Wolfpack extended their winning streak over Pitt to nine consecutive matches.
Leading the charge, Madison Hayes scored 16 points for NC State, although the victory was tarnished by the injury to forward Mimi Collins, who had to be escorted off the court with a leg injury after scoring 13 points on perfect shooting. Coach Moore shared concern for Collins and hoped for a swift and minimally invasive recovery.
The game against Pitt marked a turnaround from the struggle NC State faced against Virginia Tech, where they shot just 35%. In contrast, they found efficient scoring opportunities against the Panthers, thanks to the dominant presence of center River Baldwin in the paint.
While Pitt relied heavily on senior Liatu King’s performance in the first quarter, the rest of the team could not sustain that level of play. NC State took full advantage, especially in the second quarter, shooting an incredible 81% from the field to establish a commanding lead that remained unchallenged. Aaryn Battle, Marley Washenitz, and Jala Jordan tried to provide answers for Pitt, but the gap was too wide to close.
Examining the Big Picture
NC State managed to recalibrate after a challenging home stand against ranked teams and started their road stretch on a high note, dismantling a conference foe with dominance. For Pitt, the focus remains on building the program under the guidance of Tory Verdi, with the standout play of King being a major positive to build upon.
What’s Next?
The Wolfpack will face off against No. 12 Notre Dame in a test of their top-tier status, while the Panthers will look for better fortunes in their journey as they set off to face North Carolina.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How did NC State rebound after their loss to Virginia Tech?
NC State rebounded from their defeat by Virginia Tech with an authoritative win against Pitt, demonstrating their team’s resilience and ability to recover quickly from setbacks. - What was the condition of Mimi Collins after the game?
Mimi Collins suffered a leg injury during the game. The severity of the injury is unclear, but Coach Moore expressed hope that it would be something minor and that Collins would return to the court soon. - Who led the scoring for NC State in the game against Pitt?
Madison Hayes was the top scorer for NC State in their game against Pitt, contributing 16 points to the team’s victory. - What are the upcoming games for NC State and Pitt?
NC State is set to visit No. 12 Notre Dame, while Pitt will travel to play against North Carolina in their respective upcoming fixtures.
Conclusion
The No. 3 NC State Wolfpack showed their perseverance by bouncing back with a dominant win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. Coach Wes Moore and his team are determined to tackle the challenges of a tough ACC season head-on. As they continue their quest, they hope to have a fully healthy squad with the potential return of forward Mimi Collins. Both NC State and Pitt are now looking ahead to their next challenges within the conference, ready to compete and display the quality of basketball that the ACC is known for.
