'Hoops 4 Hope' continues Yow's legacy

Raleigh, N.C. — An emotional Hoops 4 Hope event was held Sunday afternoon at Reynolds Coliseum as the North Carolina State women's basketball team beat Virginia 60-54.

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Wolfpack beats Virginia in 'Hoops' game

Hoops 4 Hope was cherished by longtime Wolfpack coach Kay Yow, who battled breast cancer for years and died Jan. 24. Her assistant, Stephanie Glance, is now coaching the Wolfpack team.

More than 8,500 fans bought tickets in advance for the annual fundraiser – a sellout – for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

"I think it is wonderful. Kay Yow would have loved to have seen this. Everybody is here and it's a sold-out crowd. It can’t get better than this,” said Ben Powell, a N.C. State student.

Sunday marked the fourth Hoops 4 Hope game. This year's event raised nearly $100,000 for breast cancer research.

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Yow's legacy lives on through 'Hoops 4 Hope'

“She (Yow) took the time to come and meet me and tell me to be strong in your faith and that God doesn’t make mistakes,” breast cancer survivor Valerie Ryan said.

Yow's family watched from the stands as breast cancer survivors took to the court at half time to honor the woman who helped raise awareness about the disease.

"Even though she is gone, I think her name and what she tried to do while she was alive will carry on,” said Jason Yow, Yow's Nephew.

The first Hoops 4 Hope, at a N.C. State game against Boston College, raised more than $43,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

WRAL's Pam Saulsby hosted a halftime salute to breast cancer survivors and a commemorative DVD tribute to Yow was also available for purchase.

State is now 11-14 overall and 3-7 in the ACC after beating Virgina. Virginia, ranked No. 15 in the country, is 19-7 overall and 5-5 in the ACC.