Wofford Terriers stun NC State Wolfpack 55-54

Like the Purdue game, this is another one that got away.  Unlike the Purdue game this one will be a killer come NCAA tournament time when the analysis of bad losses versus good wins takes place.  No doubt about it….this was a BAAAAD loss.  Can’t make lemonade out of this one.     NC State (8-2) lost a heartbreaker on Sunday 55-54 to the Wofford Terriers (8-2) of the Southern Conference.

The Last Shot

Wofford’s Justin Gordon scored the apparent game winning lay up with 1.9 seconds before bedlam erupted when NC State’s Trevor Lacey did one better by nailing a running 3 point shot at the buzzer for the win.  Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, Lacey’s shot was reviewed then waved off igniting  a much smaller but equally excited roar from the visitors bench.  The Wofford Terriers had just upset an Atlantic Coast Conference team on their home court.

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Losing the Key Stats to the Wofford Terriers

The Wolfpack led 33-28 at halftime, but was outscored 27-21 in the second half.  The game’s outcome was determined by three critical categories won by Wofford that Coach Mark Gottfried will have to shore up if his squad is to have a chance in conference play.   Wofford scored 13 points off turnovers and 9 second chance points to the Wolfpack’s zero in both categories. Even more alarming was despite a height advantage, the Terriers also outscored NC State in the paint 22-12.

NC State lead 52-46 with 3:27 left in the game, but failed to put the Terriers away as they closed the gap in the final minute before Gordon’s game winner in front of a sparse Reynolds Coliseum crowd of 5,495.

Senior guard Karl Cochran scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for the victorious Terriers.

QUICK STATS:

Ralston Turner – 11 points

Trevor Lacey – 18 points on 8 of 12 shooting

Anthony Barber -10 points,  5 rebounds and 3 assists

BeeJay Anya – 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots

Lennard Freeman had 7 rebounds

UP NEXT:  Tennessee Volunteers on  December 17, 2014

Where:  PNC Arena @ 7:00pm