Wolfpack suffers 80-79 OT loss to Temple in WNIT

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The N.C. State Wolfpack suffered an 80-79 overtime loss to the Temple Owls in third-round of play in the 2015 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) on Thursday.

In a game that featured nine ties and 10 lead changes, N.C. State’s loss resulted from a mid-range jumper off the glass from Temple’s Feyonda Fitzgerald that came with one second remaining on the clock.

It was the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs, and the Owls’ first-ever win over the Wolfpack.

N.C. State was continuing its fifth appearance in the WNIT after claiming earlier-round wins at East Carolina (65-69) and at East Tennessee State (73-58).

NC State’s offense was powered by five players finishing in double figures including: Dominique Wilson (18 points), Len’Nique Brown (16 points), Jennifer Mathurin (12 points), Chelsea Nelson (11 points), and Carlee Schuhmacher (10 points).

“We are so appreciative of the way our seniors have represented N.C. State on the floor, off the court, and in the community,” NC State head coach Wes Moore said.

“They’ve been awesome for us. I’ve obviously had two years to work with them but their four-year experiences at N.C. State have been very positive. They will always be Wolfpack Women and we will always be here for them.”

Shooting 42 percent from the field and dropping 9-of-10 from the free throw line, the Wolfpack led 35-28 at halftime.

Temple began the second half on a tear, scoring 11 of the first 14 points to take a 39-38 lead with 15:59 remaining.

Down by four points, the Pack put together a 9-3 run to reclaim the lead, 60-58, with 5:02 remaining.

Trailing the Wolfpack, the Owls tied it up with 29 seconds left in regulation when Erica Coville scored a layup.

Brown had a three-point attempt to decide the game as time expired, but the shot hit the rim and out and sent the teams to overtime.

NC State held a 79-75 lead with 73 seconds left in the overtime period, but the Owls finished the game on a 5-0 run to claim the victory.

With one second remaining, Fitzgerald’s fadeaway jumper off the glass secured the final score of 80-79.

The loss dropped the Wolfpack’s WNIT record to 8-6, and ended its season at 18-15 overall.