N.C. State 87, FIU 71

RALEIGH - The Kellie Harper era at N.C. State officially started on Friday night, marked by a gritty, 87-71 come-from-behind victory over Florida International at Reynolds Coliseum.

In its season-opener, State’s new coach collected her first victory after becoming the program’s head coach in April. She was hired to replace legendary coach Kay Yow, who died in January after a long time battle with breast cancer.

Plucky and defensive-minded, the Wolfpack rallied from a four-point second-half deficit, playing the aggressive, pressing style its new coach promised.

The Pack trailed with 10:50 remaining, but a 3-pointer by  junior Brittany Strachan pulled them within point of the Golden Panthers. Strachan then stole a pass that led to a layup by senior Nikitta Gartrell, who was fouled.

Her made free throw gave the Pack a 55-53 lead and they slowly closed out FIU down the stretch – exhibiting a determined full-court defensive stylethat is likely to define Harper’s team this season.

Harper, 32, arrived at State after five seasons as head coach at Western Carolina, where she compiled a 97-65 record andguided her team to the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2004-05.

Harper, though, is most known for her playing days at Tennessee where she was called by her maiden name Kellie Jolly. A thin yet durable point guard, she led the Lady Vols to three national championships during her time there from 1995-99.

Rock-steady running Pat Summitt’s system, Harper’s 1998 team finished the season with a 39-0 record. She did not miss a free throw in that season’s NCAA Tournament and in the title game against Louisiana Tech scored a career-high 20 points.

Her physical and mental toughness was on full display during the 1997season where she returned after missing just 16 games with a serious knee injury - a torn anterior cruciate ligament that sidelines many players. In the NCAA Tournament title game that season against Old Dominion, she doled out a championship-game record 11 assists and was named to the All-Final Four team.

For her rehabilitation efforts, returning from such a damaging injury, the national Strength and Conditioning Association named her its“Strength and Conditioning Female Athlete of the Year.”

It’s with that history and tournament reputation that the Sparta, Tenn., native takes over a State program that last season dealt with the death of Yow- its hall of fame coach.

Hired by athletics director Lee Fowler, who selected her over Yow’s hand-picked successor, former assistant Stephanie Glance, Harper has expressed her respect for the previous coaching staff while simultaneously declaring her need to establish her own identity.

Players say Harper has helped them balance the grief they experienced in losing Yow with their desire to concentrate on basketball.

State played like a team freed of such burdens.

Swarming and pressing, the Pack forced nine early turnovers and jumped to a 31-10 team lead in the first half. They converted the Golden Panther’s turnovers into points, too, with an up-tempo, push-it-ahead attack.

That furious tempo slowed over the final six minutes of the first half when State’s opponent surged – on the strength of four 3-pointers by FIU senior Ashley Traugott – and captured a 39-38 halftime lead.