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N.C. State 66, Austin Peay 59
Submitted by ldecock on 11/21/2009 - 20:24
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- If N.C State can ever put a second half together like its first halves down here in Florida…
“We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with,” N.C. State guard Julius Mays said.
Once again, N.C. State produced a suffocating first-half defensive performance. Once again, the Wolfpack found itself clinging to a lead late. Saturday, Austin Peay got within four points with a minute to go before the Wolfpack hung on for a 66-59 win.
N.C. State is the only undefeated team left in the Glenn Wilkes Classic, which means a win over Auburn on Sunday would secure the outright tournament championship for the Wolfpack. (A loss would still give N.C. State a share of the title.)
Tracy Smith led N.C. State with 16 points, Dennis Horner added 10 of his 15 in the second half and Javi Gonzalez had eight assists for the Wolfpack (3-0).
Friday against Akron, N.C. State held the Zips to 9-for-28 shooting in the first half to take a 22-point halftime lead. Saturday, the Wolfpack held the Governors to 7-for-20 shooting for a 16-point lead
“Our first half defense, if we can keep that up, we’ll be playing pretty well,” said N.C. State forward Scott Wood, who had 10 points.
But just as Akron outplayed N.C. State in the second half, Austin Peay had the edge in the second half Saturday.
Back-to-back baskets by the Governors’ Anthony Campbell cut N.C. State’s lead to 61-57 with 1:05 to play, but Tracy Smith was fouled converting a putback and finished off the three-point play to bump State’s lead back to seven points, and that was all the Wolfpack would need.
For a team that had only seven scholarship players return from last season, it’s the kind of learning experience that only experience can provide.
“It’s unfortunate but it’s something you run into with a young team,” N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe said. “As I told the guys in the locker room after the game, there’s an art to knowing how to play with a lead. It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to learn how to play with a lead and this team has to do that. We’re certainly getting our opportunities to do that."
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About the blogger
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or luke.decock@newsobserver.com.Want to post a comment?
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Comments
Yep, early season comments, love it.
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:42 — Surfer“We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with,” N.C. State guard Julius Mays said.
Ya gotta love it
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 14:07 — JPDOhioOh, the unabashed optimism of youth.
Of course, if they don't believe it, who will. It all starts with self-confidence.
In fact, I DO love it. Good for Julius.
Another good win.
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 09:17 — JPDOhioTo me, this year's Pack is playing with more confidence and energy than at any time last year. Outside shooting was excellent, as it will need to be given the lack of height in the frontcourt. I am a little worried about how they were beaten on the boards, although that is probably going to be a common theme this year due to the makeup of the team. The second half let-down was worrisome too, but some credit has to go to Austin Peay. Anyway, this is a fun team to watch.
BTW, Luke, I could be wrong, but I thought that late game putback was by CJ Williams, not Tracy Smith.
Never mind
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 09:24 — JPDOhioMy bad. It was Tracy. Great play.