RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 5, 2024) – East Tennessee State University women's basketball fell to NC State 80-55 on Tuesday in Raleigh.

Freshman guard Carmen Richardson and senior guard Braylyn Milton each scored 12 for ETSU. Junior forward Meghan Downing and sophomore guard Brecken Snotherly each grabbed five rebounds.

The Bucs came out to play in the first half against the Wolfpack. Milton and senior guard Kendall Folley each scored seven in the opening half.

Despite not scoring for the first five and a half minutes of the game, the ETSU defense held NC State to just six points before Folley scored the first basket of the Bucs' season. Folley and Milton then both hit 3-pointers to cut into the NC State lead, and ETSU trailed 10-8 at the end of the first quarter.

ETSU took the lead for the first time with 6:17 to play in the second quarter when Richardson drilled a 3-pointer to put the Bucs up 15-14. ETSU then extended the lead to six after a pair of baskets from freshman guard Lucy Hood and freshman forward Kennedy Younkin, and the Bucs led for 4:04 of the second quarter. ETSU trailed 29-26 at halftime.

The Wolfpack opened the third quarter in a full court press and it paid dividends on both ends of the floor. NC State began the half on a 7-0 run to push its lead to 36-26 as ETSU adjusted to the pressure. The Bucs kept the Wolfpack from extending their lead and trailed 57-47 heading into the final quarter.

NC State leaned on its veteran experience in the final quarter, putting up 23 points on a game-best 55.6% from the field and holding ETSU to just three made field goals. Zoe Brooks led all scorers with 21 points. The Wolfpack also had Aziaha James (17), Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes (11 each) in double-digits, and won 80-55, which was their largest lead of the night.

Next, ETSU returns to Johnson City for the home opener at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 against Jackson State. For more information on Buccaneer women's basketball, follow @ETSU_WBB on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and visit ETSUBucs.com.