In the first half of Friday’s Final Four game, you could never tell NC State women’s basketball the odds.
Despite facing the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks — and despite being listed as 11.5-point underdogs — the Wolfpack came to play. While NC State trailed for the majority of the first half, the deficit was never more than two possessions. The score was tied at the end of the first quarter, and by the half, South Carolina only led by a single point.
By the second half, though, the bottom fell out. SC made seven of its first nine shots to open the third quarter, stretching the lead to 12 points before the media timeout. However, the stoppage didn’t cool down the Gamecocks, as their lead ballooned to as many as 24 before the end of the quarter.
From there, South Carolina was largely on cruise control in a 78-59 victory over NC State, ending the Wolfpack’s quest for a national championship in Cleveland, Ohio.
Third-quarter collapse seals fate
The Wolfpack (31-7) trailed at the half, but only because of a missed Mimi Collins free throw. Despite keeping it close for two quarters, NC State was boat-raced by the Gamecocks (37-0) in the third.
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The Wolfpack’s once-formidable defense allowed 29 points on 60% shooting, while the offense couldn’t even begin to pick up the slack. South Carolina’s defense held the Wolfpack to just one made basket — an Aziaha James layup — and six total points in the third quarter.
Rivers flat vs. former team
Saniya Rivers had a chance to make a statement against her old team, but she couldn’t tap into her regular-season form on Friday. The All-ACC guard and former Gamecock made just one of her first nine shots, finishing the game with just five points and five turnovers.
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This continued a prolonged cold stretch, having made a combined nine baskets on 29 attempts against Stanford and Texas.
Baldwin’s up-and-down defense
Senior center River Baldwin was tasked with defending an All-American in Kamilla Cardoso, and did so with mixed results. Cardoso had an excellent offensive performance in most regards, scoring 22 points including making her first six shots. However, Baldwin still tightened up when she needed to. Baldwin made three steals, tying a career-high. Friday was also the first time since January of 2022 — when she was still at Florida State — that Baldwin made at least three steals in a game.