Okananwa’s Double-Double Not Enough in Loss to Wolfpack

Friday, March 8

Greensboro, N.C.

5 p.m.

Duke University

20-11,11-7ACC

NC State

26-5,13-5ACC

Duke

NC State

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Okananwa’s Double-Double Not Enough in Loss to Wolfpack

3/8/2024 7:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)Duke Postgame Press Conference Duke Quotes (PDF)Highlights

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Duke held 10th-ranked NC State 20 points under its season scoring average and forced 15 turnovers, but the Blue Devils couldn't generate enough offense in a 54-51 setback to the Wolfpack in the quarterfinals of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum Friday night.

Freshman Oluchi Okananwa led Duke with 12 points and 11 rebounds in a game that featured eight lead changes and 10 ties. Despite forcing 14 turnovers, the Blue Devils managed just two points on the giveaways as they finished the night shooting 31 percent from the floor.

Duke, trailing by three with 13 seconds to go, forced the Wolfpack into their 15th turnover with nine seconds left in regulation. Taina Mair took the inbounds pass down to the right side of the arc, missing the three-point attempt as NC State held on for the three-point win.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The opening quarter was tightly contested and featured four ties and a pair of lead changes across the 10 minutes.
Freshman Jadyn Donovan paced six Blue Devils scorers with four points in the quarter, but it was the Wolfpack who held a 21-16 lead after one.
NC State extended its lead by as many as 10 in the second period, taking a 29-19 lead at the 4:27 mark.
Duke showed its resolve, responding with an 8-0 run over the final 3:43 to pull within two points at the break, 29-27.
The third quarter was another physical, back-and-forth 10 minutes of play featuring four ties and six lead changes.
Duke edged the Wolfpack 15-14 during the period as the Blue Devils headed into the final frame trailing 43-42. Okananwa and Mair led the charge on offense with four points apiece.
The Blue Devils tied the game twice early in the fourth quarter on baskets from Reigan Richardson and Okananwa, respectively. Knotted at 47 apiece, NC State registered the next two baskets to go ahead four points – a lead the Wolfpack never relinquished.
Duke battled defensively throughout the quarter, holding NC State to five field goals, but was held to just four points in the final 7:40. A layup by the Wolfpack's Zoe Brooks with 58 seconds sealed the victory for NC State.

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils will await their fate for postseason action. The 2024 NCAA DI Women's Basketball March Madness bracket will be revealed during the Selection Show at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 17 on ESPN.

To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWBB."

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