Cunane helps N.C. State women top Virginia, stay unbeaten

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Elissa Cunane had 26 points and 10 rebounds and No. 9 North Carolina State beat Virginia 80-60 on Sunday.

Jakia Brown-Turner added 13 points and Grace Hunter scored 10 for the Wolfpack (14-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who matched the second-best start in program history.

N.C. State never trailed and stretched its lead to 38-23 with a 13-2 run in the second quarter. Cunane made a pair of layups, including a three-point play, and assisted on a 3-pointer during the run.

The Wolfpack added a 16-0 spurt in the third quarter, scoring on seven of eight possessions to pull away.

Jocelyn Willoughby scored 25 points to lead Virginia (5-9, 0-3). Dominique Toussaint had 15 points for the Cavaliers, who have lost four straight and six of seven.

BIG PICTURE

Virginia: The Cavaliers are better than their record and statistics might indicate. Their schedule has been tough in the first half of the season. N.C. State was their fifth opponent currently ranked among the top 15.

N.C. State: The Wolfpack bounced back after having to rally from a 14-point deficit to beat Virginia Tech on Thursday night. N.C. State opened the game with a 10-3 spurt thanks in part to two early baskets by Cunane. At 6-foot-5 with deft touch, she is a matchup nightmare who helps create open 3-pointers for teammates when she isn’t scoring.

UP NEXT

Virginia: The Cavaliers host Duke, a team they beat last season for the first time since 2000, on Thursday night.

N.C. State: The Wolfpack play at rival North Carolina, whom they have defeated on the road in three of the last four seasons, on Thursday night.