May 30, 2004

ATHENS, GREECE - The Greek National Team once again pulled off a close victory over the NC State Wolfpack, 96-90 on Sunday, May 30. NC State was led by sophomore Marquetta Dickens with 17 points and six rebounds, including 10 in the first half. Junior Monica Pope was close behind with 16 points. A late surge from the national team in the final minute pushed them to the win despite the defensive pressure and pinpoint shooting from the Wolfpack in the end. The GRN made 6-of-7 three-point attempts in the second half.

NC State took a bit longer to put points on the board early, unable to score until the sixth minute on a Kendra Bell jump shot. But from then on the Pack never relented. Despite a 22-17 lead after the first quarter, NC State had the game going in its favor. The Pack tallied six points in the final minute to draw the score closer before heading into the second quarter.

The Wolfpack continued to outrun the bigger national team and outscored it 21-17 in the second quarter before heading into the half just one point down, 39-38. Backed by the play of sophomore Marquetta Dickens, who quickly racked up 10 points in 10 minutes of action. She hit one three-pointer and went 3-of-3 from the line to go along with her two field goals.

Sparked by three, three pointers within three minutes to start the third quarter, the Wolfpack tied the score at 44. Dickens hit the first at eight minutes and sophomore Ashley Key hit one to go along with her six-straight points during the same stretch and sophomore Jennifer Filipowski knocked one down from the top of the arc. The tide turned for a moment in favor of the Greeks, giving them a six-point lead again. However Key hit another three and four made free throws from her and sophomore Keisha Brown tied the game again at 62. The score stood at 64-62 in favor of GRN heading into the final quarter.

Despite a stellar second half performance from junior Monica Pope, who scored 10 of her 16 points in that time, including seven in the fourth, NC State could not regain the edge to hold off the national team. Junior Billie McDowell was on mark as she hit three three-pointers in the fourth and two free throws for 11 points. The Greek National Team however was also hitting threes as it went 6-of-7 from the line, including the one that stretched the lead to 96-90 with 16.7 seconds remaining in the game.

The Wolfpack returns home on Monday, May 31, 12:10 p.m.(in Greece) and is scheduled to arrive in Raleigh at 7:30 p.m.(Eastern Time).

Stats
Stockdale: 9 pts., 2 reb.
Brown: 9 pts., 3 reb.
Reaves: 4 pts., 6 reb. (team-high)
Pope: 16 pts., 2 reb., 2 steals, 2 assists
Dickens: 17 pts. (team-high), 6 reb. (team-high)
McDowell: 11 pts., 1 steals
Key: 13 pts., 4 reb., 3 steals (team-high)
Filipowski: 3 pts., 2 reb., 1 steal
Bell: 7 pts., 2 reb., 2 assists, 1 steal