NC State defeats Bucknell Bisons 99-86

NC State got the non-conference victory against the Bucknell Bison of the Patriot League. Still the game showed the team is a work in progress.

On Saturday, NC State (5-3) hung on to defeat a determined Bucknell Bison team 99-86 at PNC Arena in front of a home crowd of 16, 378.  Bucknell (3-5),  losers of four in a row, kept coming despite a hot shooting performance by the Wolfpack.  In fact, it was the best offensive output of the season for the team that ended up shooting 54% for the game.

Defensively, the Pack still has a lot of work to do.

NC State coach Mark Gottfried welcomed the victory after the disappointing 66-59 loss at home last week to Michigan in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.   In that game, the Pack also showed severe defensive weaknesses coupled with a sub-par shooting performance.  However, on Saturday afternoon the Wolfpack appeared more energized and determined to play hard and continue to improve.

Dec 1, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard

(24) dribbles the ball around Michigan Wolverines forward

(22) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Though point guard Anthony Barber had the hot hand early, he and the team had to deal with a little adversity because of his early foul trouble.  This allowed sophomore guard Cody Martin to come off the bench early in relief and meant that others would have to help carry the offensive load.

They did.

Freshman, 6-foot-7 guard Maverick Rowan scored a career high 27 points.  The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native rebounded from a 5 point performance against Michigan by providing a serious alternative to Barber and Caleb Martin.  The Wolfpack led by as much as 15 points in the first half and by a score of 48-39 at halftime.  They had a double-digit lead in the second half, but the Bisons would not go away as Bison guard Chris Hass hit seven 3 pointers and had 29 points for the game.

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FINAL: NC State 99 – Bucknell 86

Quick Stats
Maverick Rowan (27 pts, 3 rebounds, 1 assists)
Anthony “Cat” Barber (24 pts, 1 rebounds, 2 assists)
Lennard Freeman (10 pts, 13 rebounds)
Abdul-Malik Abu (11 pts, 9 rebounds)
Caleb Martin (21 pts, 4 assists)
Cody Martin (6 pts, 8 rebounds, 4 assists)

UP NEXT: at South Florida (2-7)
When: December 15, 2015
Where: Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida @ 4:00pm

UPDATE:

NC STATE ACCEPTS BOWL BID TO PLAY IN 2015 BELK BOWL vs. SEC opponent Mississippi State at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 30th.   Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m and the game will be televised on ESPN.