RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)Diamond Johnson scored 14 factors earlier than a first-half damage and short-handed No. 8 North Carolina State pieced collectively sufficient offense mixed with tenacious protection to defeat South Florida 65-57 on Sunday.
Jakia Brown-Turner had 13 factors and Camille Hobby 10 for N.C. State (9-1), which performed a house recreation for the primary time in almost a month.
Johnson, some extent guard, departed with a lower-body damage after making six of 10 pictures. She scored 11 of N.C. State’s first 19 factors earlier than leaving with 4 minutes left within the first half with an obvious proper ankle damage with the Wolfpack holding a 27-18 edge.
Johnson returned to the bench late within the third quarter in a strolling boot.
The Wolfpack gained its fifth in a row.
Elena Tsineke scored 17 factors for South Florida (8-3), which confronted its fourth consecutive Top 25 opponent. Sammie Puisis added 14 factors, Carla Brito had 11 and Dulcy Fanham Mendjiadeu added 10.
N.C. State’s lead dipped to 5 factors early within the third quarter earlier than it was prolonged to 50-39.
The Wolfpack led 34-25 at halftime, with the Bulls managing simply eight second-quarter factors, together with Puisis’ 3 on the buzzer.
South Florida hit three 3s within the first quarter on the way in which to a 17-11 edge. Johnson posted the sport’s subsequent eight factors, giving the Wolfpack a lead that wasn’t relinquished.
EIGHT IS ENOUGH
N.C. State had solely eight gamers accessible by the tip of the sport.
Senior ahead Jada Boyd missed her second recreation in a row with an ankle damage. She’s averaging 10.9 factors per recreation.
BIG PICTURE
South Florida: The Bulls did a commendable job attacking the offensive boards and that allowed them to remain inside putting distance. Even with Johnson out of the sport and one much less perimeter risk for the Wolfpack, the Bulls had been caught off steadiness at occasions by N.C. State’s capacity to drive the ball into the lane.
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N.C. State: The Wolfpack discovered one other technique to win throughout a rugged a part of the schedule. Since beating visiting Charlotte on Nov. 16, the crew performed 5 consecutive video games away from house, all in opposition to opponents from energy conferences. That final two of that stretch got here with victories in true street video games earlier this month at Iowa and Georgia.
TIP-INS
Puisis and N.C. State reserve heart River Baldwin had been Florida State teammates a season in the past. . N.C. State gained the one earlier assembly within the 2021 NCAA Tournament’s second spherical in San Antonio.
UP NEXT
South Florida: Wednesday vs. Marshall
N.C. State: Thursday vs. Davidson
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AP women’s faculty basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25