After coming out flat following an emotional last second loss to Florida, the Pack pulled out a win at home Wednesday night against Patriot League foe Holy Cross 87-70.
The team gave up an early 10-4 lead to the Crusaders due to bad shooting and a lack of rebounding.
“We were slow reacting to the ball in the first half,” coach Sidney Lowe said. “Those are things that can hurt you in the long run.”
Freshman guard Scott Wood came out cold rom beyond the three point line, going just one for six from beyond the arc in the first half.
Holy Cross out rebounded N.C. State 23-16 in the opening period.
But the visitors found themselves outmanned in the post.
State blocked seven Crusader shots and outscorred Holy Cross 18-4 in the paint on its way to a 33-31 lead at intermission.
The Pack came out hot in the second, starting the half on a 16-2 run.
Junior guard Javier Gonzalez hit a three pointer at the 16:10 mark in the second half to extend his consecutive games with a made three pointer to an ACC-leading 11.
The Crusaders answered with a eight point run of their own to cut the lead to 49-41.
But eight points is the closest the Pack would let their opponents.
Off the strength of 7-11 three point shooting in the second half, State pulled out the victory, 87-70.
Sophomore guard Julius Mays went 2-3 from three point range in the second and 5-8 from the field overall scoring 15 points.
“I was getting shots when they were playing zone and I just kept taking them,” Mays said. “And that’s really what got me going.”
Mays also led the team with four steals, helping State grab 11 steals on the night.
Junior forward Tracy Smith led the Pack with 19 points while freshman forward Richard Howell led the team with seven rebounds.
The Pack scored 20 points on the fast break compared with just eight by Holy Cross.
“One of the things we have been putting emphasis on is trying to get easier baskets instead of trying to run everything through the half court,” redshirt senior guard Farnold Degand said. “And we definitely executed today.”
The team out blocked the Crusaders 11-2 with senior forward Dennis Horner leading the team with four.
State’s next game is at noon Saturday at home against conference opponent Virginia.
“We have got to get the ball rolling and come out strong,” Horner said. “Now it’s ACC season.”
