N.C. State 66, Akron 45

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. -- Say what you want about N.C. State's prospects for the long haul, but the Wolfpack hasn't missed a beat yet.

In what may have been one of the best halves by an N.C. State team in recent memory, the Wolfpack hit 10 of its first 14 shots on its way to a 22-point halftime lead and 66-45 win over Akron, the defending MAC champions and an NCAA Tournament team last year.

Tracy Smith and Dennis Horner each had 16 points for the Wolfpack and Javi Gonzalez added 11 despite spending a good chunk of the second half on the bench in foul trouble.

Where does that first half rank?

“It’s up there, definitely” said Horner, a senior. “Our defensive presence shut them down. Before the game, coach Lowe wanted us to hold them to 37 percent shooting from the field and we actually held them to 32 (percent). That was the key for us.”

Meanwhile, State was hitting everything in sight -- 17-for-25 for the half while holding Akron to 9-for-28.

The second half? Not so much. State was 5-for-9 from the field, turned the ball over 18 times and gave Akron a couple chances to get back into the game. But a few key plays -- a 3-pointer from freshman Scott Wood, four straight made free throws after a technical foul on Akron -- ensured N.C. State ran its record to 2-0.

“I was pleased with our composure when they made the run, and we made some key shots -- Scott Wood’s 3-pointer,” N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe said. “I wasn’t happy with the 25 (total) turnovers, but I think 12 of those were on blocking fouls setting screens. We’ve got to get our feet set.”

Smith had 11 rebounds, giving him his second double-double of the season -- as many as he had in his first two years at N.C. State.

The Wolfpack faces Austin Peay tomorrow night in the second of three games in three days at the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.