The NC State men’s basketball team overcame sloppy first-half play and a seven-point second-half deficit to beat Pittsburgh 77-73 at home in PNC Arena Saturday afternoon for a much-needed win. Here are some of the key numbers from the Wolfpack’s thrilling victory.
0 — Minutes NC State led in the first half. Pitt knocked down a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game, and despite the Wolfpack tying things up a couple of times, NC State seemed allergic to the lead, always coming close but never able to get the stop and score it needed.
13 — Points scored by redshirt freshman center Manny Bates, a career high. Bates was a force down low, dunking and laying it in while opening up the NC State offense by giving it a new weapon.
10 — Rebounds hauled in by Bates, also a career high. Running with the theme of the day of “Bates’ best game of his young career,” the 6-foot-11 center played grown-man basketball, constantly moving Pitt players out of the way and securing his position on the low block for rebounds.
11 — Points scored by redshirt junior forward D.J. Funderburk over the first 7 ½ minutes of the second half. With the rest of the team struggling to score and NC State desperately needing points, Funderburk stepped up and put the team on his back.
17 — Turnovers committed by the Wolfpack, a staggering amount to have committed while still scoring 77 points. Against Pitt’s elite defense, NC State’s ball-handlers and bigs all struggled with ball security, as five different players gave the ball away multiple times.
30 — Minutes NC State spent trailing in the game. While the Wolfpack was able to tie the game several times in both halves, it wasn’t until the 6:55 mark of the second half that NC State was able to take its first lead and eventually keep it to pull out the win.
47 — Combined fouls committed by both teams. The sloppy, turnover-filled affair wouldn’t be complete without a wild number of fouls from both teams. With three players fouling out and another three committing four, Pitt’s 24 and NC State’s 23 fouls marred what was an otherwise exciting game.
43 — Pitt’s 3-point shooting percentage, over 14 points higher than its average. The Panthers knocked down 6 of 14 triples on the day, surprising the Wolfpack, as NC State struggled to defend Pitt’s shooters on the 3-point line, especially in a first half that saw Pitt shoot 75% from deep.
Redshirt senior guard C.J. Bryce attacks the basket against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Feb. 29 at PNC Arena. Bryce recorded 16 points and eight rebounds as the Wolfpack won 77-73.
