Harper gets her first shot at archrivals as Wolfpack hosts UNC tonight

Kellie Harper (pictured) gets her first chance to coach against N.C. State’s biggest rival tonight.

The first-year Wolfpack coach will lead her team against visiting archrival UNC at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum, in a game which will be cablecast to much of the Southeast.

Both teams picked up nice victories at home on Friday night, as the Wolfpack held off Wake Forest on an Amber White buzzer beater and the Tar Heels rallied over the final five minutes to break open a close game and dismiss Clemson comfortably.

The Tar Heels took both decisions last season, actually winning easily in Raleigh but struggling to an overtime victory at the Smith Center to get Ccoach Sylvia Hatchell her 800^th career win.

N.C. State vs. No. 14 UNC

[Monday, 7 p.m., Reynolds Coliseum]

NCSU leads series 49-39.

Records: NCSU 12-7, 2-2 ACC; UNC 15-3, 3-1.

Audio: WCHL-AM 1360; WKNC-FM 88.1; GoPack.com; TarHeelBlue.com.

Video: Fox Sports Carolinas.

Coaches’ records – UNC: Sylvia Hatchell: 827-285, 555-205 at UNC; NCSU: Kellie Harper 109-72, 12-7 at NCSU.

Leading scorers – UNC: Italee Lucas 15.8; NCSU: Bonae Holston 11.9.

Leading rebounders – UNC: Laura Broomfield 8.4; NCSU: Bonae Holston 6.4.

Assist leaders – UNC: Cetera DeGraffenreid 5.6; NCSU: Amber White 3.0.