The N.C. State women’s basketball team hung tough with the defending national champs, but the Gamecocks were too much for the Wolfpack at the Ally Women’s Basketball Tipoff in Charlotte.

Coming into No. 1 South Carolina’s showdown with No. 9 N.C. State, a key question was whether the sluggish opener against Michigan was just early rust or a sign of some step-back after a national title run. After a 71-57 win Sunday against the Wolfpack at Spectrum Center, it looks like the rust was mostly knocked off.