The High Point University women's basketball team fell to N.C. State tonight in the first round of the 2006 Preseason WNIT. HPU starts the season 0-1 while NCSU improves to 1-0.

Leading the Panthers in scoring was Candyce Sellars with 12 points. Amber Manuel added 11 while leading the team in rebounding with six. Leslie Cook added eight.

For the Wolfpack Khadijah Whittington led the way recording a double-double with 18 points and 15 boards. NCSU had three other players in double figures. Ashley Key knocked down 14 while Nikitta Gartrell added 13. Marquetta Dickens rounded out the double figure scorers with 10.

State jumped out to the early lead going up 7-0 before the Panthers got on the board with a jumper from Cook at 17:34. The Wolfpack held strong going up 13-2 before the Panthers responded with a 19-10 run to pull within two (23-21) with 6:30 left in the half. State responded, going on a 11-4 run to close out the half and take the 34-25 lead into the break.

NCSU opened the second half with back-to-back baskets to go up 38-25. HPU responded with back-to-back baskets from Manuel and Caitlin Thys to cut the lead to nine 38-29 at the 17:27 mark. State controlled most of the second half, outscoring the Panthers 44-23 in the last period.

The Panthers will be back on the court on Nov. 17 when they travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. to face Wake Forest. Game time is set for 5 p.m.