North Carolina
No. 2 UConn women’s basketball team falls to unranked NC State for first loss of season
RALEIGH, N.C. — William Reynolds Coliseum was sold out. Cheers for NC State echoed through the 5,500-person arena and left a vibration that felt as if the crowd was double if not triple that.
On the court, the Wolfpack, despite being in foul trouble, fired on all cylinders. Saniya Rivers made shot after shot after shot.
And the UConn women’s basketball team couldn’t keep up.
“We got our asses beat, plain and simple,” Huskies’ head coach Geno Auriemma said.
The second-ranked Huskies dropped their first game of the season Sunday, falling 92-81 to NC State. After running past Dayton in last week’s season opener, Sunday was UConn’s first real test of the year and the Huskies failed.
UConn’s defense fell a part before halftime while its offense was nowhere to be found when it mattered most. The Wolfpack’s 92 points in regulation is the most UConn has allowed an opponent in 22 years, according to ESPN. Sunday’s loss is also UConn’s sixth to an unranked team within the past three years.
“This was the worst offensive performance, in terms of running our offense, in terms of ball movement, you know, sharing the ball, moving without the ball, changing sides of floor from one side to the other. It’s like we were content to just stand.” Auriemma said. “… Our offense was non existent. And defensively we didn’t get stops.”
While a win would have likely bumped up UConn (1-1) to the No. 1 overall spot in the AP Top 25 Poll, Sunday’s loss to the unranked Wolfpack (2-0) will drop the Huskies in next week’s poll.
Star guard Paige Bueckers led UConn with 27 points followed by Aaliyah Edwards with 21 and Qadence Samuels with 14. Nika Mühl led with six assists. Rivers led all players with a career-high 33 points and 10 rebounds along with five assists and three steals.
“It starts with me. Just being able to set that tone defensively, keeping guys in front and making sure I’m in the gap so they can’t split us and get to the basket easily.” Bueckers said. “Defense is a will. You have to want to do it. You have to embrace that.”
After cruising through the first quarter (UConn led by as many as nine), UConn failed to keep up with the Wolfpack in the second frame.
North Carolina State’s Saniya Rivers, left, blocks the shot of UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B. DeBlaker)
NC State was quick, physical and aggressive on both sides of the ball. And it didn’t matter three of its starters already had two fouls each. The Wolfpack opened the second quarter on a 14-5 run, including a steal-and-score play by Rivers, to not only tie the game but stun the Huskies.
UConn went over two minutes without making a bucket. While some shots looked great taking off, none seemed to fall when the team needed it most. The Huskies went 8 of 19 in the second quarter, including 1 of 8 from deep. Opportunities for second-chance points were limited as players couldn’t, and often didn’t, fight their way under the basket to grab down rebounds. UConn entered intermission getting out-rebounded 22-15.
After having no turnovers in the first 10 minutes, the Huskies went into halftime with five.
“I think getting rebounds is just an attitude and we got a shitty attitude towards rebounding, because it’s hard work. It’s hard work,” Auriemma said. “And everybody’s got to be engaged in and, you know, that has to change. Period.”
Rivers weaved in and out of UConn’s defense almost effortlessly, ending the first half with a game-high 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting. A last-second shot from KK Arnold gave UConn a 43-42 at halftime but NC State had maintained all momentum.
“They came out strong, but we didn’t hang our heads,” Rivers said.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 12: Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies dribbles up court against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half of the game at Reynolds Coliseum on November 12, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
UConn came out of intermission still frazzled and got called for four fouls in the first 84 seconds of the third quarter. Both Edwards and Bueckers had three fouls each two minutes in. After having seven fouls compared to NC State’s eight at halftime, UConn ended the game with 22 while the Wolfpack finished with 12.
Whether it was the Wolfpack’s shift in energy on the court or the wild (NC State head coach Wes Moore called it “deafening”) loud crowd, the Huskies failed to gain back control.
“Anytime you foul, you just are undisciplined and you’re in the wrong position,” Auriemma said. ” … and today that’s who we were and that’s why it happened.”
The Huskies rushed their plays on offense and failed to find ways around NC State’s physicality under the basket. The Wolfpack’s speed caught up with the Huskies before passes even made it to their intended targets. Fudd (nine points on 4 of 13 in 35 minutes), earned her third foul in the final minute of the third.
“The atmosphere was fantastic, so I think that had something to do with it,” Auriemma said. “The crowd was incredibly supportive and NC State played off the crowd. I told Wes, their team is 10 times better than it was last year. They’re more together, they play together better. They know who they are. … Today, everything they did was better than ours.”
NC State led by as much as 14 while UConn’s struggles showed no signs of stopping. UConn was outscored 20-14 in the third. Edwards was the Huskies’ biggest threat against NC State’s size, but the senior forward was just 3 of 11 with two rebounds heading into the final quarter.
And with no other experienced true forward, the Huskies’ lack of an experience frontcourt caught up to them.
UConn was outrebouned 41-29 and 29-18 on defensive boards. The Huskies ended with 13 turnovers (all after the first quarter).
“We weren’t mature enough to handle it, to be honest with you,” Auriemma said.
UConn’s Nika Muhl (10) reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B. DeBlaker)
Rivers turned to the court and waved her arms up and down to amp up the crowd after UConn’s 10 turnover of the game came at 7:12 in the fourth. While UConn’s offensive frustrations continued to build up, NC State’s shots kept falling. The Wolfpack strung together a 11-0 run midway through the fourth to secure the upset.
The Huskies will return to Connecticut and get a small breather before hosting No. 14 Maryland on Thursday in Storrs.
North Carolina
Tropical Storm Debby: ‘Historic,’ ‘catastrophic’ flooding possible on South Carolina coast
Tropical Storm Debby closing in on Florida, hurricane warnings issued
Strong winds and rain batter coastal Florida as Tropical Storm Debby intensifies
Tropical Storm Debby, in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday afternoon and headed toward the Big Bend area of Florida, is forecast to impact parts of South Carolina and North Carolina this week. Alerts have been issued for the storm that could bring potentially historic rainfall, rough surf and flooding to these regions.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, the National Hurricane Center issued an advisory for Tropical Storm Debby, noting that it is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall Monday morning. Debby is expected to move slowly across northern Florida and into southern Georgia before moving into the Atlantic Ocean and up the coast.
The cone that shows the storm’s probable path includes much of S.C. However, many variables remain, including the strength of the still-developing storm and its exact eventual path.
Track Tropical Storm Debby
Track Debby: South Carolina Storm Tracker and Model Mixer
What can we expect in South Carolina?
The Hurricane Center’s forecast shows the center of the storm reaching South Carolina by about 8 p.m. Tuesday. But effects like heavy rain could start as early as Monday night.
Rainfall along the coast is expected to be the main concern. The S.C. coast from the southern part of the state past the Charleston area could see 16-20 inches of rain, with local amounts of up to 30 inches. That will likely result in “considerable” flash and urban flooding, and some river flooding is possible, the Hurricane Center said.
“Heavy rainfall will likely result in considerable flooding impacts from the Florida Big Bend region through southeast Georgia and the Coastal Plain of the Carolinas through Friday,” the Hurricane Center said. “Potentially historic heavy rainfall across southeast Georgia and South Carolina through Friday morning may result in areas of catastrophic flooding. Significant river flooding is also expected.”
The likelihood of storm surges creates a life-threatening situation, the Hurricane Center said. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
Rain of about 1-4 inches is forecast for parts of the Upstate.
What watches and warnings are in effect in South Carolina?
A flood watch is in effect from 2 a.m. Monday through Friday morning for southeast South Carolina, including Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Dorchester, Hampton, Inland Berkeley, Inland Colleton, Inland Jasper and Tidal Berkeley.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for Charleston, McClellanville and Edisto Island. The forecast calls for winds of 20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph.
A storm surge watch is in effect beginning Monday afternoon for Charleston, McClellanville and Edisto Island, with a potential of 2-4 feet above ground.
What other watches and warnings are in effect?
As of Sunday afternoon the depression was about 125 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida.
- A hurricane warning is in effect for Florida coast from the Suwannee River to the Ochlockonee River.
- A hurricane watch is in effect for the Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass * Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to Yankeetown.
- A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Dry Tortugas, the Florida coast south of the Suwannee River to East Cape Sable and the Florida coast west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass.
- A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Florida coast west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach, and the Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South Carolina.
- A storm surge warning is in effect for the Florida coast from the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass including Tampa Bay.
- A storm surge watch is in effect for the Florida coast from Bonita Beach northward to the middle of Longboat Key, including Charlotte Harbor, and thr Georgia and South Carolina coast from the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to South Santee River South Carolina.
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Where is Tropical Storm Debby?
Track it: South Carolina Storm Tracker and Model Mixer
Conditions at 2 p.m. Aug. 4:
- Location: 125 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida.
- Maximum sustained winds: 65 mph.
- Movement: North-northwest at 13 mph.
More: Heat advisory in effect for Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson, precautions to stay cool
Are you prepared for a hurricane?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the Upstate, it’s never too early to be prepared.
Iris Seaton, Carolinas Connect, and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida, contributed.
Todd Runkle is the Carolinas Connect editor and also a content coach for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trunkle@gannett.com.
ASHEBORO, N.C. (WTVD) — The North Carolina Zoo is celebrating 50 years.
Located in Asheboro, the zoo houses about 1,700 animals and over 250 species primarily from Africa and North America.
On social media, NC Zoo wrote Friday:
“Throughout our history, we’ve been home to a diverse array of remarkable animals, dedicated keepers, and passionate employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Join us in honoring this milestone by visiting the Zoo in 2024!”
The Zoo also mentioned the Zoo’s first animals, which were two Galapagos tortoises named Tort and Retort.
The post said in part: “These two tortoises symbolize the early days of the North Carolina Zoo and are cherished deeply in our hearts.”
The North Carolina Zoo is one of two state-supported zoos in the country. The other is the Minnesota Zoo.
Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
North Carolina
NC has some of the most dangerous roads in the US: See how Wilmington-area counties rank
With a recent study revealing North Carolina as one of the states with the riskiest roads to travel, some may wonder how safe the roads are here in the Cape Fear region.
MarketWatch Guides, a site that provides “reviews of consumer products and services to help readers make educated purchasing decisions,” focuses in part on car insurance comparisons, vehicle safety and more.
A recent study by the site analyzed factors including annual miles driven per 100,000 system miles, percentage of rough roads and fatal injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers. States were given a rating out of 10 points, with 10 being the most dangerous.
More: Distracted driving in Wilmington: How big of a problem is it?
North Carolina’s ranking among the most dangerous
According to the study, the states with the most dangerous drivers based on the factors studied are:
- Louisiana – 7.55/10
- California – 7.21/10
- New Mexico – 6.74/10
- Hawaii – 6.73/10
- Delaware – 6.67/10
- New Jersey – 6.53/10
- Mississippi – 6.47/10
- North Carolina – 6.39/10
- Massachusetts – 6.33/10
- Maryland and Texas – 6.26/10
According to the study, North Carolina had 32.5 fatal injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers, but only 2.1% of rough roads, which was the lowest percentage out of the other ranked states.
For a more localized perspective, the North Carolina Department of Transportation releases annual traffic crash facts data. The most recent 2022 report includes a ranking of counties based on several factors, including reported crashes, crash severity, crash rates based on population, registered vehicles and estimated vehicle miles traveled.
The most dangerous county for drivers, ranked at No. 1 for the past five years, was Robeson County. The county had 60 fatal crashes in 2022 with 1,136 non-fatal injury crashes. The rest of the total 4,056 crashes were property-damage-only. The county with the best ranking was Hyde County, coming in at No. 100. The county had one fatal crash in 2022 and 10 non-fatal injury crashes. The county had a total of 45 crashes, the rest of which were property damage only.
More: MyReporter: Which intersections see the most red-light camera violations in Wilmington?
Here’s where the Cape Fear region counties ranked.
Brunswick County
Ranked No. 76 in 2022, Brunswick County had 25 fatal crashes and 715 non-fatal injury crashes. The total crashes for that year were 3,146. The remainder of the crashes were property damage only.
New Hanover County
Ranked No. 58, New Hanover had 19 fatal crashes and 1,313 non-fatal injury crashes, both of which went down from 2021. The total crashes in New Hanover were 5,617. The remainder of the crashes were property damage only.
Pender County
Ranked No. 47, Pender County had the worst ranking despite having the lowest number of crashes. The county had 12 fatal crashes and 374 non-fatal injury crashes, and a total of 1,156 crashes. The rest of the crashes were property damage only.
Iris Seaton, USA Today Network, contributed to this report.
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