Courtesy: Eric Wilson http://www.gopack.com/ Sharnise Beal scored six points off the bench in her first game at Reynolds Coliseum this year.
RALEIGH, N.C. – Shayla Fields did about everything she could to snap NC State’s current slide, including a game-high 25 points, but in the end Florida made just enough plays Sunday afternoon for a 66-61 victory at Reynolds Coliseum.
The Wolfpack fell behind early by double digits and it was too much to overcome for a fourth-straight setback. On the bright side, however, the Pack did outscore its opponent in the second half for the second straight game.
Nikitta Gartrell was the only other player for NC State (4-5) in double figures with 12 points. Fields reached the 20-point plateau for the fourth time this year as she played the entire 40 minutes for the fifth straight game. She sits only 17 points away from 1,000 for her career.
Sha Brooks paced Florida (8-1) to its eighth win in a row with 15 points, while Marshae Dotson and Steffi Sorensen tossed in 13 and 11 points respectively.
The Gators led from tip to the final buzzer and built up a 13-point, 59-46, advantage with 4:33 left after Brooks handed out one of her nine assists to Trumae Lucas for a layup.
The Pack regrouped and put together a nice 13-5 run to make it a two-possession game in the final minute. A Fields’ three with 16 ticks made it 64-59, but a pair from the line by Brooks sealed the victory.
Another sluggish first half found the Pack down 22-12 with 7:30 remaining in the half. The offense stalled for nearly six minutes, allowing Florida to gain control of the action. But a late bucket by Fields and two free throws by Tia Bell in the final seconds of the half left the home team down just 32-26 at the break.
NC State takes a break for exam week, before getting back to action next Sunday against Ole Miss, the Pack’s third foe from the Southeastern Conference already this year. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Reynolds Coliseum. The game marks coach Kay Yow's 1000th as the head mentor for the Wolfpack.
Courtesy: Eric Wilson
