CAROLINA, Puerto Rico (AP) — Kaylene Smikle scored 13 points and No. 7 Maryland coasted to a 95-38 win over Hofstra on Thursday to wrap up the Cancun Challenge.
The Terrapins (9-0) got their real challenge in the opener when they defeated No. 16 Kentucky 74-66 in a battle of unbeaten teams.
Addi Mack, Marya Boiko and Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu all scored 10 for Maryland, which shot 58%, had a 40-17 rebounding advantage and forced 24 turnovers, good for 41 points. The Terps played 13 players, 11 played double-figure minutes and 12 scored. None played more than 21 minutes.
Olivia VanPatten scored eight points to lead the Pride (1-4), who shot 33% (14 of 42).
NO. 12 NORTHCAROLINA 83, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 48
CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Elina Aarnisalo and freshman Nyla Brooks each scored 14 points, Indya Nivar secured the second triple-double in program history and North Carolina beat South Dakota State to begin the Cancun Challenge.
Nivar had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals to join her former teammate Alyssa Ustby in the program record book for triple-doubles. Nivar made her 10th steal with just over three minutes to go and her teammates on the bench celebrated the triple-double.
Nyla Harris, who missed the last game, added 12 points in nine minutes off the bench for North Carolina (6-1). Brooks was coming off a career-high 18-point performance while shooting 7 of 7 from the field and 3 of 3 from beyond the arc against UNCG to earn ACC freshman of the week honors.
Brooklyn Meyer scored 16 points for South Dakota State (5-1). The Jackrabbits were selected to take the Summit League crown in the preseason poll after going 16-0 in conference action last year and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
NO. 25 NC STATE 79, GREEN BAY 67
CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Zoe Brooks scored 21 points, Khamil Pierre had a career-high 21 rebounds and N.C. State pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat Green Bay in the Cancun Classic on Thursday.
Brooks and Pierre both had eight points in the final period when the Wolfpack made 10 of 14 shots to 6 of 15 for the Phoenix, who were tied with a minute to play in the third quarter.
Zamareya Jones had 17 points for N.C. State (4-3) and Pierre, who moved into a tie for the third most rebounds in a game, added 12.
Gracie Grzesk scored 20 points for the Phoenix (5-2). Jenna Guyer added 15 and Carley Duffney 10.