Wolfpack women’s hoops slides to No. 23

Cheryl Treworgy - TSN via PrettySporty.com
Cheryl Treworgy - TSN via PrettySporty.com
Cheryl Treworgy – TSN via PrettySporty.com

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State Wolfpack (16-3, 3-2) remained among the top 25 teams in the country for the third straight week.

However, as a result of losing to the Miami Hurricanes (11-7, 3-2) on Sunday, the Wolfpack fell three spots to No. 23 in the latest edition of the Associated Press (AP) poll that was released on Monday.

NC State completed a 1-1 week in ACC play, handily defeating the then 17th-ranked Florida State Seminoles (80-57) last Thursday before falling on the road at Miami (80-71).

Against the Hurricanes, senior center Markeisha Gatling scored 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field and was supported with strong offensive contributions from Kody Burke (13 points, seven rebounds) and Myisha Goodwin-Coleman (13 points, six assists).

Even while outrebounding (45-42) and outshooting (42% versus 38%) Miami, NC State committed 17 turnovers which the Hurricanes used to their advantage in keeping the Wolfpack at a distance during the final minutes of the game.

NC State fell behind by 12 points in the second half and tried to mount a comeback, but Miami was able to close the game out led by Krystal Saunders who scored 22 points on a 6-of-10 shooting performance from the field that included successfully converting six three-point attempts.