Opportunity Lost: Wake defeats NC State Wolfpack 88-84

Deja Vu.

A week earlier the Wolfpack trailed Clemson 36-16 by halftime at home. The Pack clawed to within 3 points only to fall short. On Tuesday night the Wolfpack did it again in almost the same fashion. NC State (14-10, 5-6) played horrendous defense and was outplayed three-quarters of the game on their way to losing 88-84 to Wake Forest (11-12, 3-7) at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Codi Miller-McIntyre was the catalyst that powered the Demon Deacons to a 9-0 run to take an 8 point lead at 13-5 in first five minutes. Wake Forest (only averaging 4 blocks a game) had 5 blocks in the first 10 minutes and 11 for the game. Amazingly, the Pack which prided itself with defense and blocked shots, had none. The Wolfpack defense was atrocious.

By the 6:18 mark, Wake Forest had built their lead to thirteen points at 23-36. After a 15-2 run, the lead had grown to 21 points at 30-51 on the strength of 65.5% shooting and nine first half 3-pointers (60%).

For the second game in a row Anthony “Cat” Barber had a superb first half and total all around performance scoring 16 of his 28 points in the first half. He almost single-handedly kept the Pack afloat.

Feb 3, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Halftime: Wake Forest 51 – NC State 30

If you missed the second half, don’t fret because no one would blame you. However, if you did, you missed a heck of comeback.