Triangle Sports Roundup: ACC WBB Thanksgiving updates

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Orin Day, Triangle Sports Network
Orin Day, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – All three Triangle-area Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) women’s basketball teams were in action leading up to and on Thanksgiving Day.

While many were carving turkeys on Thursday, the 15th-ranked Duke Blue Devils came out on top of a matchup with Idaho at the Cancun Challenge, while the N.C. State Wolfpack fell a three-pointer short to Seton Hall.

A day earlier, the North Carolina Tar Heels lost a close one at home, a 66-63 decision to the University of the Pacific Tigers at Carmichael Arena.

Stevens paces Duke to 74-68 win over Idaho

RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO – Sophomore forward Azurá Stevens posted a double-double and led the 15th-ranked Duke Blue Devils to a 74-68 win over Idaho at the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday.

Stevens finished the game with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds, while blocking three shots, shooting 11-of-17 from the field.

Freshman Crystal Primm came off the bench to collect a career-high 13 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes.

The Blue Devils finished the contest with a season-high 26 turnovers and hit 47 percent from the field, while the Vandals, who averaged 12 three-pointers entering the game, hit 10 from beyond the arc.

The Blue Devils moved to 4-1 on the season, while the Vandals suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 3-1.

Duke plays Iowa State Friday, in the second of three games in the Cancun Challenge.

Wolfpack opens tournament with 58-55 loss to Seton Hall

CANCUN, MEXICO – The N.C. State Wolfpack suffered its first loss of the season, a 58-55 decision at the hands of the unbeaten 25th-ranked Seton Hall Pirates in both teams’ Cancun Challenge opener on Thursday.

Despite having two attempts at potential game-winning three-pointers in the closing seconds, the Wolfpack (5-1) couldn’t finish off an impressive game-ending surge.

Down 55-45, the Wolfpack compiled an 8-0 run to pull within two points, trailing 55-53, with 2:05 to play.

However, separate three-point attempts to take the lead from junior guards Miah Spencer and Dominique Wilson each rimmed out.

“This was a very disappointing loss,” N.C. State head coach Wes Moore said.

“Playing a ranked team, it was a chance to make a statement and we gave up 22 offensive rebounds and didn’t execute on a lot of the little things. We missed a lot of free throws and this was still a one-possession game with a chance to win it. We’ve got to learn to finish these games. Every possession is so critical when you are playing a very good team and a couple of breakdowns means that you’ve missed out on opportunities. There are a lot of things from this game we can learn from and work on, but at some point, you’ve just got to get it done.”

NC State’s offense was led by Spencer’s 13 points, and double-digit performances from Ashley Williams (11 points) and Carlee Schuhmacher (10 points).

The Wolfpack shot 19-of-56 from the field, recorded 12 steals, but was out-rebounded by a 56-39 margin.

Tabatha Richardson-Smith (18 points), Aleesha Powell (17 points) and Shakena Richardson (10 points) led Seton Hall (6-0).

NC State will close out tournament play against the UAB Blazers (2-3) on Friday.

Tar Heels fall to Pacific, 66-63

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina Tar Heels dropped a close one to University of the Pacific Tigers at Carmichael Arena on Wednesday.

Erin Butler scored 15 points to lead Pacific to a 66-63 win over North Carolina.

Even with four players posting in double-figures – Xylina McDaniel (16 points), Jamie Cherry (15 points), Destinee Walker (11 points), Stephanie Watts (11 points) – the Tar Heels couldn’t post the win.

Watts also pulled down 12 rebounds to record her first career double-double, but it wasn’t enough.

Even though Carolina led 37-34 at halftime, Pacific regained the advantage during the third quarter.

Pacific led by three with three seconds to play and Carolina got a last second shot attempt from Walker, but it didn’t drop, and the Tigers pulled off the upset of the Tar Heels.

North Carolina (4-3) takes on Gonzaga in the finale of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. on Sunday.