NC State entered their game with Miami Thursday night with only 8 available players. Jada Boyd re-injured her ankle in the Sunday loss to UNC and was unavailable, and shooting guard Jessica Timmons was sick and wasn't even in the arena. Despite a slow start, NC State played with a purpose and outscored Miami 31-7 over a key stretch to run out to a 35-19 halftime lead.
Early in the 3rd quarter, center River Baldwin fell and suffered a knee injury, reducing the available number of players to 7. Baldwin re-emerged later with a heavily-wrapped leg...I'd be surprised if she plays over the next week or so.
Fortunately, NC State was able to withstand numerous runs from Miami and won, 71-61.
We could sure use the services of the three players we lost to the transfer portal (Dontavia Waggoner, Genesis Bryant and Sophie Hart) but will have to make do with what we have.
Who knows how many players will be available for our annual showdown with Louisville on Sunday. It has been an injury-plagued season for Boyd.
We are really going to need a solid game from Jakia Brown-Turner, who had another quiet night against Miami, Sunday when we face Louisville. That would be a great game to break out of the funk she has been in for most of this ACC season.
Bright spots tonight were Saniya Rivers' 6 steals, most resulting in uncontested layups...and Azaiah James, who grabbed 6 boards tonight. Diamond Johnson had another off-night on the offensive end; she has not regained her shooting touch since coming back from the games missed due to her ankle injury.
NC State needs all the firepower it can muster Sunday...and play defense like they did tonight against Miami. They held the Hurricanes in check for most of this game and forced 19 turnovers.