In a challenging week on the road, NC State women's basketball faced a tough defeat against Duke, falling 83-65. This marked the first time in nearly two years that the Wolfpack (17-9, 10-5 ACC) dropped consecutive games, despite a strong 24-point, five-rebound performance from Khamil Pierre.
The back-to-back losses snapped NC State's impressive streak of 17 consecutive wins following a loss, a record that had been the longest active streak in the NCAA since February 2024. The Pack's struggles were evident, with both defeats coming by double digits, totaling a 30-point deficit.
The game started with a competitive exchange, but Duke quickly took control with a decisive 12-0 run, establishing an 18-6 lead. Although Pierre tried to spark NC State's offense with 10 points in the first quarter, the team still trailed 28-16 at halftime.
NC State showed resilience in the third quarter, largely thanks to Zoe Brooks, who scored 13 of her 21 points during this period. The Wolfpack outscored Duke 22-15, narrowing the gap to a manageable 56-48 heading into the fourth quarter.
However, Duke regained momentum, fueled by consecutive three-pointers from Toby Fournier and Arianna Roberson, who combined for 41 points. Fournier further extended Duke's lead with a personal 6-0 run, sealing a 20-point advantage with two minutes left.
Despite shooting 43% from the field, NC State struggled beyond the arc, failing to make any of their six attempts. They were also outmatched on the boards, with Duke dominating 41-25 and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities, leading 18-11 in that category. Duke's efficiency was highlighted by their 18 assists, compared to just five from NC State.
Looking ahead, the Wolfpack will return to Reynolds Coliseum, hoping to regroup against Syracuse. The Orange (21-5, 11-4 ACC) pose a formidable challenge, having won five of their last six games. With NC State slipping out of the ACC's Top 4, Sunday's matchup is crucial for the Pack to regain their footing in the conference standings.