RALEIGH, N.C..- The Presbyterian College women's basketball team hits the road to take on the NC State Wolfpack in a Saturday showdown at noon at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C. The game marks the program's 16th-ever matchup against an Atlantic Coast Conference team and the Blue Hose will aim for their first win of the season following a 55-44 loss to NC Central on Thursday in the team's home opener. Saturday's game marks the third in a six-game homestand to open the season for the Wolfpack.
NC State has taken the only two meetings in series history after a 76-30 victory in Reynolds Coliseum last season. The first meeting saw the Wolfpack take a 74-27 win from the Blue Hose on December 16, 2010 in Raleigh as well. Karlee Taylor (six points), Noelle Carter (three), Taryn Richard (two), Keyonna Allen (two) and Megan Schaaf (two) scored for PC in the effort. NC State's win broke PC's 5-5 season record at the time and put PC's 2012-13 reccord against the Atlantic Coast Conference at 1-2.
The Wolfpack enter Saturday's game with a 2-0 record following home wins over St. Bonaventure (70-47) and Towson (69-46) to kick off the campaign. Markeisha Gatling leads the team with 11.0 points per game while Len'Nique Brown checks in with nine points and seven rebounds per outing. The Wolfpack have outscored their two oppnents by an average of 23 points per game, along with +11.0 rebounding and +5.5 turnover margins.
PC dropped its home opener to NC Central on Thursday night, 55-44. Noelle Carter and Keyonna Allen led the Blue Hose with 10 points each, a new career high for Carter. Freshman Aianna Kelly paced the Blue Hose on the boards with a career-high seven while Carter and Rebecca Walker added six. Walker also blocked a career-best four shots, PC's second-most ever in a Division I game.
PC plays its 16th-ever game against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent on Saturday. The Blue Hose broke a 12-game losing streak to the conference in last year's season opener with a dramatic 49-46 win over Clemson thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Dria David.
PC delivered a sparkling defensive effort on Sunday at No. 22 Georgia in the 2013-14 season opener, hodling to 45 points, a total fewer than all but two of Georgia's games last year. PC held the Bulldogs to 32.0 percent shooting on the night (16-for-50) and 16 turnovers, equaling PC's total in that category. Georgia also struggled from long distance against the Blue Hose defense, shooting 2-for-12 for a 16.7 percent clip.
Redshirt sophomore forward Keyonna Allen leads PC in scoring (8.5 points per game) and ranks second in rebounding (5.5 per game) through the season's first two contests. Allen tied for the team scoring lead in games against Georgia and NC Central while averaging 25.5 minutes per contest.
PC heads back home to host Columbia College on Monday at 5 p.m., part of a Blue Hose doubleheader that also pits PC men's basketball against Toccoa Falls at 7:45 p.m.
