The men’s basketball team improved to 12-8 on the season, beating North Carolina Central University (2-23) last night in the RBC Center 87-59. The night started rough for N.C. State, though. After a sloppy possession that resulted in two points for the Wolfpack, the Eagles went on a 10-0 run forcing four straight turnovers.
“We were sloppy. We didn’t have any intensity and [the Eagles] came out and made their first couple of shots,” coach Sidney Lowe said. “And then we woke up and [went] after it. Our guys they grinded out, they hung in there and they go back in it.”
Senior Ben McCauley broke the 10-0 run with a 5-0 run of his own during a stretch when the Pack scored 13 unanswered points. This run was followed by two big dunks from McCauley and redshirt junior Brandon Costner and a huge 3-pointer from senior Courtney Fells. The 18-3 run, followed by solid play throughout the rest of the half, gave the Pack a 46-36 lead going into the locker room.
After the break, State came out slow, turning the ball over three times before Costner was able to drive to the basket for an easy layup. The Pack kicked it into high gear for the rest of the half, outscoring the Eagles 41-23.
According to big man Ben McCauley, the non-conference game gave the team confidence, which it will need during the remainder of the season.
“It was a tough game, especially in the middle of the ACC season to throw this in there, but this builds momentum for us to go on the road against Virginia Tech on Sunday,” McCauley said. “We just have to stay within ourselves — we have to play our game.”
According to Lowe, the play of the big men down low was essential in utilizing the size advantage between the two teams.
“Brandon was big on the offensive boards and the tip-ins.” Lowe said. “We felt that we should have an advantage there, but we knew they were going to trap down and front the post and make it tough for us.”
Costner and McCauley finished the night with a combined 42 points and 25 rebounds.
“I thought our bigs were patient enough, did a nice job of ducking in there and they were big on those boards,” Lowe said.
The Pack also utilized hard play from its bench players in the game. 28 of the Pack’s 87 points came from the bench. Johnny Thomas led the bench players with nine points in 17 minutes. Two of those points came off of a highlight reel dunk with 12:41 left in the second half.
“Johnny plays hard, we know that. That was a great dunk he had on that break,” Lowe said. “You know what you’re going to get when he is in the game. I don’t have to ever wonder if he is going to be ready to play or if he is going to play hard. That is all you can ask from a player.”
The Pack will return to ACC play this Sunday in Blacksburg, Va. against the Hokies of Virginia Tech. The game is set to tip-off at 1:30 and is slated to be aired on Raycom Sports.
