NC State athletics’ week in review: Jan. 8 - Jan. 14

NC State athletics came out of this week with mixed results — the women’s basketball and track and field squads turned in dominant performances while men’s basketball and gymnastics struggled against some tough competition. 

Women’s basketball defeats Miami

NC State women’s basketball bounced back from last week’s loss to No. 14 Virginia Tech with a convincing 93-66 win over Virginia at Reynolds Coliseum. 

Thanks to double-digit scoring contributions from freshman guard Zoe Brooks, senior guard Madison Hayes, junior guard Aziaha James, graduate forward Mimi Collins and freshman guard Laci Steele, the Pack put up its highest point total of the 2023-24 season against the Cavaliers. Steele’s 13 points and Brooks’ team-leading 19 points were both career highs for the young stars. 

This win moves the Wolfpack’s record to 15-1 on the season and 3-1 in the ACC. The previously ranked No. 6 Pack jumped to No. 4 in the AP Poll as a result of its strong showing this week.

Read more about NC State's dominant victory over Virginia. 

Track and field competes in Virginia Tech Invite

NC State track and field made the trip to Blacksburg, Virginia to compete in the Virginia Tech Invitational on Friday, Jan. 12, and Saturday, Jan. 13. 

Over the course of the weekend, six athletes set new personal bests — graduate student Ally Henson in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, freshman Jayda Hunter in the women’s long jump and the women’s triple jump, senior Makala Wright in the women’s weight throw, sophomore Nathan Lau in the men’s shot put, sophomore Ta’Honny Exum in the women’s shot put and freshman Judd Armstrong in the men’s high jump.

Read more about the Pack's performance in Blacksburg. 

Men’s basketball splits two games

NC State men’s basketball looked like two different teams in its games this week — against the then-No. 7 Tar Heels, the Pack shot an abysmal 27% from the field and 10% from beyond the arc. But when it traveled to Louisville just a few days later, the red-and-white shot 54% from the field and 50% from the 3-point line to put up its second-highest point total of the season. 

Graduate guard DJ Horne led the Wolfpack in scoring against the Cardinals with a game high 27 points after recording just six points against UNC-Chapel Hill. NC State defeated Louisville 89-83 after falling 67-54 to the Tar Heels.

Read more about the Pack’s loss to the Tar Heels.

Read more about the red-and-white's high-scoring win over Louisville. 

Gymnastics finishes last in a quad meet

NC State gymnastics traveled out to West Valley City, Utah to compete against Cal, Michigan State and host BYU. The Pack posted a team score of 195.675 with its highest scoring event being the vault, where it totalled a 49.175. 

To no one’s surprise, graduate student Chloe Negrete led the charge for the red-and-white, scoring a 9.900 on both the vault and the floor. Next week, the Wolfpack is set to kick off its first ACC season since 1984 with a meet against UNC-Chapel Hill. 

Read more about the Pack's meet at BYU.