Raleigh, N.C. — In an exciting matchup on Wednesday night, Saniya Rivers showcased her impressive skills with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Aziaha James contributed an additional 21 points to help No. 22 NC State secure a narrow victory over Davidson, finishing 59-57.
NC State carried a slim lead of 39-38 into halftime but fell behind 44-40 as the game progressed into the fourth quarter. The tension peaked when the score was tied at 52, but Rivers quickly took charge, scoring six consecutive points to give NC State a 58-52 advantage. Davidson responded with a layup from Millie Prior and a three-pointer from Katie Donovan, bringing the score to 58-57 with just 41 seconds left on the clock.
With the lead down to one, the Wolfpack aimed to manage the shot clock on their next possession, but Rivers missed a jumper with 16 seconds remaining. Davidson grabbed the rebound, and after a timeout from both teams, Charlise Dunn missed a crucial layup that could have swung the game in favor of the Wildcats.
To secure the win, James converted 1 of 2 free throws with just one second remaining, finalizing NC State’s victory at 59-57. For Davidson, Issy Morgan led with 20 points, while Dunn added 17.
The shooting percentages for both teams were rather low, with NC State hitting 33% of their shots and Davidson slightly better at 34%. Rivers notably made all her contributions to the Wolfpack’s efforts in the third quarter, scoring six points with a shooting average of 3-for-4, making her the only player from NC State to score in that period. The Wolfpack kept their hopes alive by capitalizing on free throws, with Hayes sinking 6 of 6 from the line in the third.
As the fourth quarter began, NC State briefly regained a one-point lead and managed to tie it thanks to a successful free throw from Hayes. Davidson’s Tomisin Adenupet then sank a three-pointer to put them back in the lead, but Rivers answered back with a tip-in, followed by a three-point play from Zoe Brooks, giving NC State a narrow 52-50 edge with about 4.5 minutes to go.
The thrilling back and forth showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, as NC State fought hard to maintain their ranking and secure a much-needed victory.