New coach Kellie Harper will lead her N.C. State women’s basketball team against outside opposition for the first time Monday night at Reynolds Coliseum.
The Wolfpack, which returns 11 of 12 players from last season’s team, will take on North Greenville in a 7 p.m. exhibition.
Harper (pictured), a former Tennessee guard who played on three NCAA title teams, was 97-65 in five seasons at Western Carolina. She led the Catamounts to the Southern Conference title last season.
State was 13-17 last season under the late Kay Yow and then interim head coach Stephanie Glance.
The Wolfpack will open regular-season play on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. against visiting Florida International in the nightcap of the first night of the Sheraton Raleigh Wolfpack Invitational. Vermont and Western Michigan are also in the tournament, which will crown a champion the next night.
North Greenville at N.C. State (exhibition)
[Monday, 7 p.m., Reynolds Coliseum]
First meeting
Records (2008-09) NGU 13-15, NCSU 13-17.
Broadcast info: none.
Coaches’ records – NGU: Jayne Arledge 344-420 at NGU; NCSU: Kellie Harper 97-65, 0-0 at NCSU.
Leading scorers – (returnees from 08-09) NGU: Karly Stache 13.4; NCSU: Sharnise Beal 11.5.
Leading rebounders – (returnees from 08-09) NGU: Whitney Smith 6.3; NCSU: Lucy Ellison 6.8
Assist leaders – (returnees from 08-09) NGU: Nikki Wood 3.6; NCSU: Nikitta Gartrell 3.4.
