When the men’s basketball team visited Tallahassee, Fla. Jan. 12, Scott Wood notched a career-high in leading N.C. State to an 88-81 win over Florida State, but Friday night in Greensboro Coliseum, the freshman showed it wasn’t the Floridian water.
Wood hit a school-record six three-pointers in the contest to lead the Wolfpack (19-14) over the Seminoles 58-52 and into the ACC semifinals for the second time in coach Sidney Lowe’s four years as head of the program. Wood has hit 13 of 19 attempted three-pointers in three career games in Greensboro.
“I’ve shot pretty well in the gym so far this year,” Wood said, adding while his prowess at shooting the three-ball is his niche on the team, he’s still working to expand his talents. “That’s probably what I’ll be known for, but [I’m] trying to work on my game and add some other aspects to it.”
Wood combined with Gonzalez, who had 13 points in the contest to carry State as the Noles double-teamed the Pack’s leading scorer Tracy Smith. Lowe praised his point guard’s play after the game
“He definitely, in that second half, took control, took more on control of ht eball game, on both ends,” Lowe said of Gonzalez. “He was pressing the ball on defense, and really causing them problems, forcing them to start their offense out a little further. And then on the offensive end, he made the right reads. When he had opportunities to get in there and shoot the little mid-range floaters, he did that.”
The win places State in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament for the first time since a 2007 when the team lost in the final before making a run to the quarterfinals of the NIT in Lowe’s first year.
Follow @techsports for coverage of the Wolfpack’s continued run in the ACC Tournament. Tipoff for State’s game against Georgia Tech is set for 3:30 p.m.
Tracy Smith knocks down a floater in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament Friday night. Smith had 13 points and 6 rebounds in the 58-52 win, which lands the Wolfpack in the semifinals of the tournament for the first time since 2007. Photo by Peggy Boone
