NC State falls to DUKE 88-80
It’s been a season NC State head coach Mark Gottfried would rather forget.
Another game against a conference foe, and another loss. The only saving grace is that this team continues to fight hard and has been in just about every game. Today, NC State (12-12, 2-9) lost on the road in Durham, NC to rival Duke (17-6, 6-4) 88-80 in front of the usual Cameron crazies. The game was actually an improvement from the Wolfpack’s 88-78 loss on January 23, 2016 to the Blue Devils in Raleigh.
NC State has lost 4 of its last 5 games and stands little chance at making the postseason in any tournament, short of an outright miracle. It seems that the Wolfpack can do no better that .500 and the two missing components: Trevor Lacey who unexpectantly decided to go pro and the injury of transfer guard Terry Henderson have transformed NC State into a team that cannot be repaired. YES, every couple of games this dog has its day, but there is nothing close to consistent about this team. The 20 ppg. that Lacey would have contributed cannot be replaced. Or ignored.
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NC State was down only six points, 41-35 at the half. NC State, led by Anthony “Cat” Barber had a chance. However, after the Wolfpack took a 52-50 lead on an Abdul-Malik Abu alley-oop dunk at the 16 1/2 minute mark, Duke seemingly got mad and reeled off an 18-4 run that effectively put the game out of reach. Duke would take its largest lead at 13 points (67-54) with about six minutes remaining.
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Maverick Rowan scored 17 points and Cody Martin added 13 points for N.C. State. While the 6’8″ sophomore Abu finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds.
Duke’s Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard powered the Blue Devils past a very game NC State squad that continues to fight hard despite its gun being only half loaded. Allen finished with 28 points and Kennard with 26 as Duke won their second game since falling out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2007.
UP NEXT: Wake Forest
Where: PNC Arena
When: February 13, 2016 @ 12:00pm
TV: ACC Network