Despite having four players score in double digits, the No. 17 Tar Heels shot 26 percent from the floor, including 19 percent from behind the arc, and allowed the Wolfpack to escape with a 66-63 win in front of 3,815.
For a team that normally feeds off of its deft outside touch, it was a disappointing way to snap a four-game winning streak.
"We were settling for the outside shot too much," said UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell. "And it's hard not to take it when you feel like you've got it and in other games you've made those shots."
The Wolfpack (9-6, 2-1 in the ACC) was led by Kaayla Chones, who scored 26 points and pulled down 16 rebounds. She filled the role of go-to inside scorer admirably with leading scorer and rebounder -- forward Carisse Moody -- unable to play because of an ankle injury.
The 'Pack starting front line ran roughshod over the Tar Heels (13-2, 3-1), combining for 57 points and 34 rebounds.
But thanks in large part to State's 27 turnovers, UNC still found themselves with a chance to win late in the game.
After UNC guard Nikki Teasley missed a jumper badly with the shot clock winding down, State forward Amy Simpson drove along the left baseline, drew the UNC defense and found a wide-open Talisha Scates in the paint. The forward laid the ball in for a 64-63 Wolfpack lead with 9.2 seconds left in the game.
Teasley brought the ball up the court and drove to the hoop. She met State guard Rachel Stockdale and was whistled for a charge with 5.6 seconds left. Scates hit two more free throws to ice the win.
Teasley questioned the call after the game, declaring adamantly that she did not commit a charge.
