ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands — Madison Hayes scored 15 points and No. 10 North Carolina State took command early in an 84-55 rout of Kentucky on Thursday at the Paradise Jam tournament.
Hayes made three 3-pointers and was 5 of 6 overall from the field for the undefeated Wolfpack (5-0), who had three other players score in double figures against the outmanned Wildcats (2-3).
Saniya Rivers had 13 points for N.C. State, with River Baldwin adding 11 points and Mimi Collins 10 as the Wolfpack led by as many as 41 points late in the third quarter.
Ajae Petty, Saniah Tyler and Eniya Russell each finished with nine points for Kentucky.
The Wolfpack shot a season-best 54.8% from the field (34 of 62) in building leads of 31-16 after the first quarter and 55-24 at the halftime break.
N.C. State’s biggest lead came in the closing seconds of the third quarter when Rivers’ layup put the Wolfpack ahead 76-34.
BIG PICTURE
N.C. State: A dominating performance for the Wolfpack, who made their return to the top 10 earlier this week. This was their third win of the season by 40 or more points.
Kentucky: The Wildcats looked out of sorts offensively and defensively in their first AP Top 25 matchup this season. Things will have to improve before they begin Southeastern Conference play in six weeks.
UP NEXT
N.C. State: Faces Cincinnati on Friday in the teams’ second Island Division game at the Paradise Jam.
Kentucky: Takes on its first AP Top 25 team this season, playing No. 3 Colorado on Friday.
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