It was the Cat Barber Show.
No wait it was the Trevor Lacey Show.
Wednesday night North Carolina State (20-12, 10-8) soundly defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 81-70 in the 2nd Round of the ACC tournament. Defense again ruled the day for the Wolfpack as they controlled Pittsburgh (19-14, 8-10) for most of the way with a comfortable double-digit lead.
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Complementing the defensive efforts was an explosive performance by 2 of the NC State Wolfpack’s Big Three. Anthony “Cat” Barber scored 21 first half points and a career high 34 points for the game. Trevor Lacey scored 21 pointed in his usual versatile all-around performance.
After the game, Barber explained the coaches keep telling him to Be Cat. When asked what that meant, Barber explained, ” Be aggressive be confident, be a leader.” That’s exactly what Cat Barber did tonight.
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If you are a Wolfpack fan, its nice to play an ACC tournament game knowing you are already in the Big Dance. This is not usually the case. Since the days of Herb Sendek, the NC State Wolfpack has had to fight, claw and scratch their way into the NCAA tournament by having to win multiple games. It feels wonderful not being a bubble team. After tonight’s victory an invitation to the NCAA tournament is almost a certainty.
Barber hit two 3 pointers , nailed three free throws and completed a fast break lay-up as he scored 11 of the Wolfpack’s first 16 points allowing the Pack to jump out to an early 8 point lead. NC State would add to the lead with Barber scoring the final 10 points before the break to lead by 14.
Mar 11, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) looks to pass as Pittsburgh Panthers forward Jamel Artis (1) defends in the second half. The Wolfpack defeated the Panthers 81-70 in the second round at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Halftime: NC State 37 – Pittsburgh 23
The second half the Trevor Lacey show began. Lacey said, “We’re not going to go in and make crazy plays, but we’re going to take advantage of the opportunities we do have and that’s what we did.”
Busting Brackets
Trevor Lacey – 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Ralston Turner – 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
Anthony “Cat” Barber- 34 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists
BeeJay Anya- 7 points, 6 rebounds
Notables:
- NC State committed only 5 turnovers
- NC State shot 53% from the field
- NC State had 30 points in the paint (Pitt 16)
- Barber hit 4 of 5 three pointers and was 12 for 12 from the free throw line
- Barber and Lacey combined for 55 of the Pack’s 71 points
- 22,026 in attendance
NEXT UP: Duke Blue Devils
March 12, 2015 @ 7:00pm
TV: ACC Network