N.C. State's C.J. Williams walks off the court after the Wolfpack's 77-69 loss to Virginia Tech. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
Check out our uncut and edited photo galleries from the game
RALEIGH — In the final minutes, N.C. State fought for loose balls, scrapped for rebounds and didn't allow Virginia Tech to have any free rides to the basket.
It was a big effort but a little too late. Virginia Tech diffused a late Wolfpack rally for a 77-69 win on Wednesday night at the RBC Center.
Scott Wood's hard foul of Virginia Tech forward Terrell Bell with 3:48 left underscored State's intensity as it tried to erase a 15-point deficit.
But the same hustle plays that got State back in the game in the final 5 minutes were mostly absent in the first 35.
Virginia Tech got a double-double from Jeff Allen and 22 points from Malcolm Delaney to hand the Wolfpack its sixth ACC loss in seven games.
Eighteen points off the bench from freshman C.J. Leslie couldn't overcome a slow shooting start and an inconsistent offensive effort.
Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe uncharacteristically tried a 2-3 zone, for the game's first 10 minutes, and even gave seldom-used forward Kendall Smith three minutes in the first half, but neither desperate move could slow down Virginia Tech on the glass.
N.C. State got out-rebounded 27-12 in the first half, and allowed the Hokies to score 19 second-chance points, as it dug too big of a hole. Virginia Tech, an undersized team missing half of the frontcourt players it expected to have before the season started, had more offensive rebounds in the first half (14) than State had total rebounds (12).
Allen finished with a 11 rebounds and 15 points. Victor Davila led the Hokies with 13 boards.
Undone by rebounding problems and poor shooting — and another slow start — the Wolfpack is 2-6 in the ACC with a trip to conference leader Duke next on the schedule.
It got ugly early for State, which was trying to come back after a disastrous 20-point loss at North Carolina on Saturday. Without freshman guard Ryan Harrow, who missed a second straight game with viral-like symptoms, the offense started slow, shooting 37 percent in the first half (10-27).
The Hokies built a 39-26 halftime lead and then fended off sporadic attempts by the Wolfpack to rally in the second half.
The Pack cut the lead to nine points after Wood and C.J. Williams hit consecutive 3-pointers to make it 46-37 with 15:20 left.
Then Virginia Tech scored the next six points. Allen's take-a-rookie-to-school dunk on Leslie came at 13:35 in the midst of Tech's push.
State made one last gasp, with a 13-4 run capped by Lorenzo Brown's three-point play at 4:35 to make it 63-57.
But Bell, who's two-handed dunk highlighted the ease of Tech's first half, went for another highlight slam but was hit by Wood. Bell hit both free throws and then State had an empty possession, a missed shot by Tracy Smith.
Comments
this and that
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 00:49 — JPDOhioGood
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 15:02 — SurferNice to see your optimism (except # 4 and # 6) returning.
That picture of Tracy Smith
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 10:46 — unc098That picture of Tracy Smith says it all!!!!
Dude
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 11:02 — YAR8packThough I get what you're saying, that's CJ Williams. :-)
And his expression says it all as well.
YIKES !!!!! My bad.... I
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 16:33 — unc098YIKES !!!!!
My bad.... I didn't really look at the number.
no excuses!
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 17:06 — JPDOhioThe lack of the Abe Lincoln beard was a dead giveaway.
I hide my head in
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 18:43 — unc098I hide my head in shame....bad poster......bad poster.
Same
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 10:43 — YAR8packSame old story. Same old song and (with no trip to the) dance.
I really do feel somewhat bad for the players, but then the realization that their lack of hustle is what's killing them on the court.
I don't really know what else can be said.
*smh*
yep
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 11:13 — JPDOhioI feel for some but not all the players. I am mainly going to watch to see who has enough self-motivation and pride to bring energy and intensity despite the circumstances.
I remember when Thad Matta came to Ohio State. It was under sanctions and prohibited from playing in the tournament that year. He told his guys that didn't matter. They had to fall back on why they started playing the game in the first place and give their best no matter what. I believe they finished first in the Big Ten that year.
Now there is a coach who knows how to get the most out of his players. And we'll see who among the Pack's current players have what it takes to bring it every day even when the situation seems hopeless.
??
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 13:03 — melvinfurdMatta was 8-8 in Big "Ten" conference games his 1st year at Ohio State. He's been 1st three of six seasons at OSU and most likely will make that 4 of 7.
my bad
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 15:29 — JPDOhioI was going on memory. It was actually the second year they won the Big Ten outright, when they were, in fact, "playing for something".
That said, I stand by my original point. Matta's first year, they finished something like 20-12 and upset Illinois in the last regular season game, ruining the Illini's undefeated regular season. Not bad for a team with "nothing to play for".
Any Chance
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 11:18 — YAR8packAny chance myself and some of our fellow ACC Now posters can fly you in for a pep talk with the current Wolfpack team right before they tip-off in Cameron?
i WISH
Thu, 02/03/2011 - 12:22 — JPDOhioIf I did, the pep talk would be accompanied by a size 12 strategically directed at the backside of those who think it is ok to loaf at any time they are lucky enough to be on the court.
Some respond very nicely to the offering of a carrot. To others, the stick must be regularly applied. Good coaches know which is which.