Coastal Carolina VS NC State

RALEIGH – No. 16 NC State bounced back on Wednesday with a 71–58 win over Coastal Carolina, controlling the matchup for nearly the entire game.

NC State spread the scoring around with 10 players contributing, and Maddie Cox delivered a standout performance, totaling 11 points, her best mark so far in an NC State uniform. The Wolfpack also moved the ball well, finishing with a season-high 20 assists, led by Zoe Brooks and Zamareya Jones, who each handed out eight.

A dominant 14–0 surge in the first quarter helped NC State take an early 18–7 lead. After Coastal briefly went ahead 7–4, NC State shut the Chanticleers down for the final 7:38 of the opening period. Cox scored eight points in that stretch alone, matching her previous career high before the first quarter even ended.

Cox continued her hot start by knocking down her third three-pointer early in the second quarter, pushing her into double figures. NC State kept Coastal from scoring a field goal for more than 13 minutes, with the Chanticleers breaking the drought only with a pair of free throws late in the half. The Wolfpack closed the period strong and carried a 34–13 advantage into the break.

NC State’s defense was sharp in the opening half, limiting Coastal Carolina to 16% shooting overall and 1-for-16 from beyond the arc, while turning 15 turnovers into 18 points.

Coastal responded after halftime, putting together a strong stretch to outscore NC State 23–8 in the early part of the third quarter and pulling within nine. The Pack answered with a short run to restore control, taking a 53–39 lead into the fourth.

The Wolfpack connected on three early threes in the final quarter—two from Destiny “Ky’She” Lunan—and a deep shot from Jones pushed the margin back to 17. Coastal closed the gap slightly down the stretch, but NC State maintained command despite being outscored 45–37 in the second half.