RALEIGH, N.C. – Facing the nationally-ranked reigning Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball champion, North Carolina Central University scored the most points against a top-25 team in school history, as the Eagles fell to the hot-shooting North Carolina State University Wolfpack, 108-70, on Sunday afternoon inside Reynolds Coliseum.
 
In 10 prior clashes against opponents ranked in the top 25, the most points NCCU scored was 44 against No. 18 Oregon State on Nov. 22, 2017, in Durham. On Sunday, four Eagles netted double figures, topped by senior East Carolina University transfer Necole Hope with 17 points, including 5-for-9 shooting from long distance. Freshman guard Paris McBride collected 16 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds for NCCU (1-1), while sophomore Anissa Rivera contributed 16 points and junior Cherelle Washington added 11 points.
 
NC State (2-0), ranked No. 6 in the USA Today/WBCA preseason coaches poll and No. 8 in the Associated Press top-25 poll, shot 68.3% (41-of-60) from the field, including a blistering 79.3% (23-of-29) after intermission.
 
The Wolfpack shot 66.7% from the field (12-of-18), including 57.1% from 3-point range (4-of-7), in the opening 10 minutes to take a 32-11 lead after the first quarter.
 
NCCU responded by playing the second quarter to a near draw, with NC State edging the Eagles 14-13 in the second 10-minute session for a 46-24 halftime advantage.
 
NC State continued its hot shooting in the second half by making 86.7% (13-of-15) from the floor in the third quarter, extending the margin the 85-39. 

NCCU out-scored the Wolfpack 31-23 in the fourth quarter, but NC State held on for its second victory of the young season.
 
The Wolfpack distributed the scoring load with six players posting double-digit performances. Elissa Cunane led the way with 17 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting from the field along with five free throws.
 
Up next, NCCU travels to High Point University on Dec. 7, while NC State visits No. 1 South Carolina on Dec. 3.