John Joyner
N.C. State head coach Mark Gottfried high fives fans who rushed the court after defeating No. 1 Duke 84-76 in PNC Arena Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013.
After a sour defeat last season at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the No. 20 N.C. State Wolfpack (14-2, 2-0 ACC) avenged its loss and defeated the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (15-1, 2-1 ACC), 84-76, at PNC Arena, Saturday afternoon.
The win marks the first time the Wolfpack has been 3-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play since the 1988-89 season.
Led by four players in double figures, State was able to pull away late in the second half, after an even keeled first half.
Junior forward Calvin Leslie led all players with 25 points and added six rebounds. He was also 7-for-8 from the charity stripe.
Along with Leslie, senior forward Richard Howell may have played his best game of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, six offensive and 12 defensive.
Rebounding was the key for Duke in the first half as it had the edge on the boards, 22-15. The Blue Devils would out rebound the Pack for the game, 35-34. But the Pack had the edge in the second half and capitalized on its chances.
With dominant big men on both squads, the game plan was evident early; get the ball inside. Both teams excelled in the paint, scoring 42 points each.
The Pack looked in control from its opening possession. Senior forward Scott Wood drilled a three-point basket giving the team a 3-0 lead and getting the crowd into the game early.
Wood finished with 14 points and a rare technical foul.
Along with Howell’s double-double, junior guard Lorenzo Brown joined the party, tallying 12 points and 13 assists.
Freshman forward T.J. Warren and guard Rodney Purvis played critical roles Saturday afternoon. Purvis’ strong drives to the basket, including an electric dunk and a game changing three-point play sparked the team and crowd.
Warren finished with a quiet 10 points and three rebounds. Purvis scored seven points.
Duke’s freshman forward Amile Jefferson, a highly sought recruit the past offseason, scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds. Jefferson, who was subbing in for injured senior forward, and Raleigh native, Ryan Kelly, eventually fouled out late in the second half.
The team shot 50.8 percent from the field, still ranking among the nation’s top teams in field goal percentage.
State will travel to College Park. Md. on Wednesday to take on the Maryland Terrapins (13-2, 1-1 ACC).