NC State Wolfpack gets needed victory 69-53
North Carolina State (16-11, 7-7) played its way back into the NCAA tournament last week with a surprising road win at Louisville. On Saturday, the Wolfpack took care of business by defeating basement ACC foe Virgina Tech 69-53 at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Prior to the game several sports outlets projected the Wolfpack as the last team in as their Bracketology analysis heads towards the final weeks of the regular season.
Buzz Williams, in his first season as Virginia Tech coach, had 6 stellar years at Marquette that featured five 20-win seasons. However, this season the Hokies (2-12, 10-17), have struggled as the smallest and one of the worst teams in the ACC.
The Hokies started the game slowly by going almost 7 minutes without a field goal to trail the Pack 25-10. NC State was energized by the re-emergence of senior guard Ralston Turner who had been in a late season slump. However, the Hokies would score on its final six shots to close the gap to 32-25 at the half.
Feb 21, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Abu Abdul-Malik (0) dunks the ball during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sportsl
Halftime: NC State 32 – Virginia Tech 25
Virginia Tech would cut the lead to 39-36 after opening the second half better than they did the first. NC State would regroup and break open the game with an 11-2 run after succesful 3-point shots from Trevor Lacey, Caleb Martin and Turner opening up a 54-41 lead for the Wolfpack. NC State would lead by as many as 19 points as they controlled the second half and cruised to a second consecutive conference victory.
FINAL: NC State 69 – Virginia Tech 53
Justin Bibbs had 19 points, 5 rebounds off the bench and Adam Smith scored 15 points and 3 rebounds for the Hokies.
Trevor Lacey- 14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
Ralston Turner- 18 points, 2 rebounds
Anthony “Cat” Barber- 10 points, 4 assists
Lennard Freeman- 4 points, 4 rebounds
Caleb Martin – 8 points
BeeJay Anya- 4 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks
Abdul-Malik Abu- 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Notables:
- NC State shot 25-48 (52%) from the field
- NC State attempted 26 3-point shots (10-26) (38%)
- NC State forward Kyle Washington did not play due to coach’s decision
- NC State has the #2 RPI Strength of Schedule in the country just behind the Kansas Jayhawks
- 19,500 in attendance
UP NEXT:
#15 North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC – February 24, 2015 @ 8:00pm
TV: ACC Network