The sixth annual Hoops 4 Hope game was held Sunday at Reynolds Coliseum, and despite some poor timing, appeared to be a success.

N.C. State had a good crowd at Reynolds and the Wolfpack women’s team put on a strong performance, rallying from a big deficit before falling to Florida State, 76-69. The game raised $53,000, according to The News & Observer, for the Kay Yow Cancer fund.

This is a worthy cause, and you have to commemorate NCSU for continuing the game and honoring their late coach. But the game was overlooked in a market consumed with the NHL All-Star Game. Women’s basketball doesn’t get much attention in the market, from media or fans, and this was a prime showcase for the game and a great cause. It just seemed unfortunate that the game wound up being played at a time when many had their attention focused elsewhere.