RALEIGH, N.C. — In a thrilling matchup on Sunday evening, the No. 22 North Carolina State women’s basketball team triumphed over Clemson with a final score of 83-79. Madison Hayes was a standout performer for N.C. State, contributing 19 points to the victory, while Zoe Brooks added another 18. The Wolfpack improved their record to 10-3 overall, securing their second consecutive win in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with a 2-0 record.
Aziaha James had a notable performance as well, scoring 15 points, and Saniya Rivers made a significant impact by scoring 12 of her 14 points in the second half. The game saw intense moments, especially in the second half, where Hannah Kohn of Clemson put her team ahead with a three-pointer at 9:28. However, the Wolfpack responded swiftly; Hayes fired back with a three just 27 seconds later to regain the lead at 64-62, which they maintained for the remainder of the game. N.C. State’s surge was highlighted by an 8-0 run that marked their largest lead of the contest at 77-67 with just over four minutes to go.
Clemson’s Mia Moore shone brightly, achieving a season-high 23 points in only 20 minutes of play, showcasing her expected skill coming from UAB. Kohn also had a stellar night, making a career-high six three-pointers and finishing with 18 points, contributing significantly to the Tigers’ scoring. Loyal McQueen played a versatile role, ending the night with 10 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
The first half was characterized by a back-and-forth battle, featuring nine ties and ten lead changes. The last lead change occurred when Kohn’s buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the first half allowed Clemson to head into the locker room with a slim 37-36 advantage. In a pivotal moment of the game, Kohn again connected from long range, pushing Clemson’s lead to seven points with only 3:40 remaining in the third quarter. However, James’ layup ignited a strong 11-2 run for N.C. State, allowing them to close the quarter with a 61-59 lead.
Kohn, who previously played at Chattanooga, has been on fire recently, consistently scoring at least three three-pointers over the last five games. In that span, she has shot an impressive 48.8% from beyond the arc, making 21 out of 43 attempts while averaging 13.6 points per game. Notably, N.C. State excelled at the free-throw line, outscoring Clemson 18-8, which played a critical role in their success.
With this win, N.C. State continues to reinforce its presence in the NCAA landscape, while Clemson remains poised for growth, building on individual performances as the season progresses.
