NC State women edge Davidson as Rivers and James lead the charge

On December 11, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the No. 22 NC State women's basketball team played against Davidson in a closely contested game. Saniya Rivers led the Wolfpack with an impressive performance, scoring 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while Aziaha James contributed 21 points. The game saw NC State leading by just one point at halftime with a score of 39-38. However, they fell behind in the third quarter, ending it at 44-40 in favor of Davidson. In the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack rallied to tie the game at 52-all. Rivers then demonstrated her scoring ability by netting six consecutive points, giving NC State a 58-52 lead. However, the Wildcats quickly responded, with Millie Prior scoring on a layup and Katie Donovan hitting a crucial three-pointer, narrowing the gap to one point at 58-57 in favor of NC State with only a short time left on the clock. The closing moments were intense. NC State attempted to extend their lead but Rivers missed a jumper with just 16 seconds remaining. Davidson had a chance to take the lead, but Charlise Dunn missed a layup following a timeout. Aziaha James then sealed the victory for NC State by making one of two free throws, securing the final score at 59-57. Despite their struggles, both teams fought hard, and NC State's efforts paid off in the end. With this win, NC State improved their record to 7-3, while Davidson fell to 3-7. The game showcased a strong competitive spirit and resilience from both teams, making it a memorable encounter for the fans in attendance. NC State's shooting struggles were evident as they finished the game with a field goal percentage of only 33%, while Davidson was slightly better at 34%. The game was pivotal not only for the players but also for setting the tone for the rest of the season for both teams.