NC State Wolfpack Upsets #2 Duke 87-74

NC State Wolfpack fans are seeing red. In this case that’s a good thing. The Wolfpack Nation has been waiting all season for a signature win and they got it today at PNC Arena in Raleigh as NC State handed the Duke Blue Devils (14-1, 2-1) their first loss of the season 87-75. NC State (12-5, 3-1) finally put all the pieces together and showed everyone that they are a team to be reckoned with. Behind the red-hot shooting of Trevor Lacey and Ralston Turner, NC State pulled the biggest upset of the ACC season and positioned themselves to do some real damage to preseason predictions.

Coach Mark Gottfried’s trademark this season seems to be his penchant for changing up rotations and starting lineups from game to game depending upon the matchups. In this game, the Pack made a concerted effort to attack the Blue Devils’ strength by going inside at one of the best post players in the country, freshman Jahlil Okafor.

State began to take command near the 4:00 minute mark of the first half behind two thunderous dunks by freshman Abdul-Malik Abu and sophomore Kyle Washington, both off beautiful inside feeds that helped erase a 6-point Duke lead. Suddenly the game was tied 29-29. Washington followed on the Pack’s next possession by nailing a 3-pointer from the top of the key for the Wolfpack’s first lead of the game 32-29. Washington then hit another jump shot to cap an 11 point NC State run to lead 34-29.

Duke would go on to trail at the half for the first time this season 33-37.

Jan 11, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) shoots over North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Kyle Washington (32) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Halftime: NC State 37 – Duke 33

No 998 Today

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s quest to top 1000 victories stands at 997 as the future Hall of Fame coach watched his talented Blue Devil team almost get run out of PNC Arena when the Pack went on a 19-4 second half run.

With the score tied 42-42, Turner drilled another long range 3-pointer and the Wolfpack never looked back. The run, highlighted by blocked shots and fiery aggressive play, allowed the Wolfpack lead to grow to 19 points as they executed to perfection and limited Duke to difficult shots.

Senior reserve guard Desmond Lee ended the game in spectacular fashion with two breakaway dunks in the final minute to the delight of the raucous crowd. As the final seconds ticked off, the celebration began as hundreds of fans stormed the court in jubilation reminiscent of the last time the Wolfpack defeated then #1 ranked Duke 76-84 on January 12, 2013. NC State has now beaten Duke 3 of the last 4 games at PNC Arena with each time Duke being ranked in the Top 10.

NC State Wolfpack Upsets #2 Duke 87-75

By A. Zach Williams | Jan 12, 2015