Associated Press
RALEIGH ó N.C. State honored Kay Yow once more in the annual game that meant so much to its Hall of Fame coach.
Salisbury High alum Shayla Fields scored 19 points to help the Wolfpack beat No. 17 Virginia 60-54 on Sunday in the emotional “Hoops 4 Hope” game, an event designed to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.
N.C. State (11-14, 3-7 ACC) held the Cavaliers (19-7, 5-5) to 36-percent shooting, and Tia Bell tied a 30-year-old school record with eight blocked shots. The Wolfpack earned its first win against a ranked opponent since March 2007.”This game was bigger than just a win or a loss for us,” Fields said. “It was about people and women in general who are fighting a deadly disease.”
N.C. State has won two straight following a 1-8 stretch that began when Yow had to leave the team in December. She spent about a week in a hospital before her death Jan. 24.
The fourth “Hoops 4 Hope” game took on added significance this year and was a sellout for the first time. It drew thousands of fans wearing pink who participated in a silent auction of Wolfpack memorabilia or made donations to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. By the end of the day, the event had raised more than $91,000, far exceeding the previous high of about $44,000 in 2007.
In addition, about 250 breast cancer survivors gathered on the court at halftime ó grouped by how long they’ve survived cancer ó to give hope to those who are currently fighting the disease.
Virginia used a 16-0 run spanning halftime to take a 38-29 lead. The Wolfpack regrouped, getting clutch shots late from Fields and Nikitta Gartrell to go back in front.
N.C. State pushed ahead for good with an 11-0 spurt, including a 3-pointer from Fields to tie it at 40 followed by the go-ahead layup from Bonae Holston and a pair of free throws from Fields.
“I think the significance of this game lies in a team and a group of people who under very adverse circumstances have continued to persevere,” interim coach Stephanie Glance said.
No. 8 UNC 73, Ga. Tech 50
CHAPEL HILL ó Cetera DeGraffenreid had a career-high 22 points, and Italee Lucas added 13 for UNC (22-4, 7-3).
Jessica Breland had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Christina Dewitt had 10 points and 11 boards.