NC State women’s basketball thumps Stanford in statement ACC win to start 2026

RALEIGH

Reynolds Coliseum was the place to be for New Year’s Day, the Wolfpack faithful packing the stands to see a big win.

N.C. State hosted Stanford in what felt like an “Are you for real?” matchup to open 2026, with the teams looking to prove themselves as the ACC season progresses. It was an ugly game at times, but the Wolfpack ran away with a 74-46 victory and moved to 3-0 in conference play.

“I’m real proud of the way we came out,” N.C. State head coach Wes Moore said. “[We] hold them to 26 points in the first half, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, that’s a heck of an effort.’ Then, 20 in the second half. It gets even better. A lot of people contributed and played well.”

The Wolfpack’s defense has struggled at various points this season — Moore called it “not very good” — but Thursday’s gamed feature one of the Pack’s best performances of the season.

N.C. State held Stanford to several season lows, including fewest total points, first-quarter points (11), third-quarter points (11), fourth-quarter points (9), and lowest field goal percentage (30%). The Cardinal also shot 4-23 (17.4%) from 3-point range, which was one of its lowest outputs of the season. The Cardinal played without Chloe Cardy, who averages nearly 12 points per game.

Stanford’s 46 points were the fewest allowed by N.C. State’s defense this season.

“I feel like our defense has really taken off, and it really is standing out for us,” N.C. State guard Zoe Brooks said. “I think it also helps give us momentum on offense. When we get stops, constant stops on defense, it just helps us get on the break more and have more easy opportunities to score. It also makes Coach Moore happy.”

It took the Wolfpack (10-4) about a quarter and a half to fully settle in. Stanford (12-3) led by as many as four points to open the game, and the Cardinal then came back from seven down to take a 24-23 lead with 4:19 remaining in the first half. The tide changed from that point forward.

N.C. State increased its defensive intensity to create offensive possessions, scoring nine of its 14 second-quarter points in the final 2:30 of the period. It never let up, either, and dominated on both ends of the floor. The Wolfpack outscored the Cardinal, 42-20, in the second half, with Stanford missing 15 straight baskets between the third and fourth quarters.

Additionally, the Pack drew five offensive fouls in the first half, Tilda Trygger blocked back-to-back shots, and the team recorded eight blocks and nine steals.

The defense also significantly limited forward Lara Somfai, Stanford’s star freshman and early ACC Rookie of the Year candidate, on the offensive end. Somfai entered the game averaging 11.1 points per game. She finished with five points on 2-of-13 shooting, one of her lowest scoring outputs of the season.

Somfai, however, carried the Cardinal’s rebounding effort. She pulled down 16 boards to lead all players. Prior to the matchup, she ranked No. 15 in the nation and No. 2 in the ACC for total rebounds (134), behind only N.C. State’s Khamil Pierre. She averaged 9.6 boards per game, which was No. 3 in the league.

N.C. State finished with a positive 42-35 rebounding margin after trailing early in the game.

Courtney Ogden and Nunu Agara led Stanford’s scoring with 12 and 16 points, respectively. They shot a combined 11 of 26 (42.3%) from the field. The rest of the team shot 7 of 34 (20.5%).

“I think they’ve done a better job of taking away people’s strengths and that sort of thing,” Moore said. “That’s what it takes.”

Brooks led the scoring effort with 18 points, while Trygger contributed 12 points and led the team with eight rebounds. Four players finished with at least five rebounds, and Maddie Cox put together a do-it-all performance while dealing with an illness.

She scored seven points, making all three shot attempts, pulled down four rebounds, and added an assist, block and steal. Cox drew a pair of offensive fouls, as well.

“She had a real gutty performance,” Moore said. “That’s the difference between the Maddie this year and the Maddie of the past. She has a lot of confidence, but she also has a little more toughness, mental and physical.”

There’s still plenty of growth for the young team to do, but Moore and his players are pleased with its progress. The first several weeks of the season were difficult — and it was on the road a lot — but the pieces are starting to fall into place.

“I like where we’re at,” Moore said. “We’ve survived it and just got to keep getting better every day. They asked me before the game my New Year’s resolution — the TV crew did — and that’s what I said, ‘Keep getting better every day.’ If we do that, I like where we’re headed.”

This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 5:03 PM.