South Raleigh News

Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers were pivotal in NC State's narrow 59-57 victory over Davidson. The team trailed by four points entering the final quarter but managed to outscore their opponents 19-13, securing the win. Rivers led all scorers with a double-double, contributing 25 points and 11 rebounds, while James added 21 points.

The game began with NC State winning the tip-off, with James scoring the first seven points for her team. Despite this strong start, Davidson responded effectively, going 4-for-4 from the field after an initial miss. A three-pointer from James tied the game at 14, but Davidson quickly answered with another three-pointer. By the media timeout at 3:52, NC State was trailing 17-14. However, they held Davidson scoreless for nearly two minutes and Maddie Cox tied the game at 19 with a layup.

In a challenging second quarter offensively for both teams, NC State scored only nine points—their lowest in any quarter this season—while Davidson managed just eight. At halftime, NC State held a slight lead of 28-27, with James and Rivers accounting for most of their team's points.

Davidson regained control in the third quarter with a strong start and a ten-point advantage that put them ahead by five at one point. The Wildcats ended up outscoring NC State 17-12 in this period. Yet again it was Rivers who stepped up towards the end of the quarter to cut down Davidson’s lead to four before heading into the fourth.

Rivers played an instrumental role in turning around the game during its final stages; she blocked crucial shots on defense and executed key plays on offense including six consecutive points that gave NC State their largest lead late in regulation time. With less than a minute remaining on clock—after defensive stops from Pack—and successful free throws by James—they emerged victorious despite late pressure from Davidson who closed gap significantly towards endgame scenario.

Key performances included Madison Hayes who showed aggression under boards achieving ten rebounds along going seven-of-eight line finishing seven-point contribution adding blocks steals respectively; while collectively registering seventeen offensive rebounds as unit further bolstered overall effort ensuring triumph against tough opponent

Looking ahead next match-up scheduled Sunday December fifteenth when visiting Louisville participating Jimmy V Women’s Classic followed return home face off against James Madison Thursday nineteenth December tickets available purchase online via official channels