N.C. State's C.J. Leslie (5) slams in two as Maryland's Alex Len (25) tries to defend in the first half. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH – Once again, N.C. State won a game with a collection of players fulfilling their roles, not having just one star individual who carried the rest.
That was the formula N.C. State used in a closer-than-it-looked 79-74 win over Maryland on Sunday night.
And executing this type of game plan set in by first-year coach Mark Gottfried will most likely determined whether the Wolfpack reach their ultimate goal: the NCAA Tournament.
In the ACC opener for both teams, the Wolfpack showed more maturity in the second half. They limited their turnovers. They helped each other on the defensive end. And when it was time to pull away and win the game, the Wolfpack did just that.
With less than eight minutes left, Gottfried was more animated than usual in demanding his team get stops on defense.
The Wolfpack responded.
N.C. State held Maryland scoreless for more than three minutes, which was enough time to build a comfortable cushion. The Wolfpack also turned the Terrapins over 15 times.
On offense, forward C.J. Leslie led the Wolfpack with 20 points and 10 rebounds (five offensive). Leslie played with an energy level that the Terrapins couldn’t match.
It didn’t matter who first-year Maryland coach Mark Turgeon had defend Leslie. Whether it was Maryland center Alex Len or forward James Padgett, Leslie used his agility to get by defenders for easy layups and dunks.
Leslie made a few highlight-reel plays, but it was his acrobatic move with six minutes left that produced the biggest roar from the near-selloutcrowd at the RBC Center.
After a miss jumper from guard C.J. Williams, Leslie jumped in the air, grabbed the rebound and scored before landing on his feet – and he did this while being fouled. The three-point play gave N.C. State its first double-digit lead.
From there, the Wolfpack (12-4, 1-0 ACC) kept the Terrapins (10-3, 0-1) at a distance.
Forwards Scott Wood (19 points) and Richard Howell (10) were also instrumental in giving N.C. State a slight rebounding advantage.
Maryland guard Terrell Stoglin kept the Terrapins close with a game-high 25 points. But in the second half, Stoglin struggled from behind the three-point line.
Now, the Wolfpack will host Georgia Tech on Wednesday night.
Earlier this week, Gottfried said he felt the Wolfpack needed to win 11 ACC games in order to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
After getting what should be a confidence-building victory over Maryland, the Wolfpack are one game closer to reaching their goal.
Nate Taylor joins the News & Observer as a sports reporter and sports editor for the North Raleigh News and the Midtown Raleigh News. He has written for the Boston Globe, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and his hometown newspaper, the Kansas City Star. He graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2010. He can be reached at 829-4538 or at
Comments
glad its over
Sun, 01/08/2012 - 22:39 — shharristhis was one State was supossed to win. After watching this game, I'd say the biggest media gaff is saying it was closer than the score. I disagree. This game was never close. the score was, but State played better and it felt like the Pack would win, even when Maryland took a brief lead in the second half. We did not win by 30, but we won. When we have the depth to play defense for 40 minutes, we'll nbe ready for the next level. steve"73
Yeah, I hear ya'.....
Mon, 01/09/2012 - 09:20 — Shoreman67Stoglin was keeping them in the game. Everytime we started to pad our lead, he would go down and hit a three, or we would have some other defensive lapse.
I agree re the defensive intensity which may result from our lack of depth. Playing this up-tempo game players can get gassed. I'm still baffled by the lack of playing time forThomas De Thaey; I thought he was supposed to be a pretty good player; I thought he would play much more and help give us some added depth; he is a mystery to me; I guess he just hasn't developed as I (many) thought he would at this point.
Whew!
Sun, 01/08/2012 - 22:19 — JPDOhioReally good win. I was worried about this one going in, because I suspected the Terps were better than advertised. They are. State played with great energy all game and Calvin was terrific. Free throw shooting was outstanding, especially Scott and CJ with the game on the line. Those two I don't worry about at the line. Way to start conference play!
This was another one of those games
Sun, 01/08/2012 - 21:45 — Shoreman67I thought was never going to end; made me nervous. I thought it was a well coached and well played game. Scott Wood really responded at clutch time (Maybe he can teach Johnson how to block a three point shot without fouling). Calvin, of course, was awesome. There were a few mistakes but I thought it was a nice team win; it really feels good to finally beat the Terps.
I was a little surprised Maryland played that well. They obviously are a much better team with the return of Len and Stoglin is one helluva' shooter; thought he was going to beat us singlehandedly.
Only one down however, and 10 more to go. Hope we can keep it going.
10 more
Mon, 01/09/2012 - 13:58 — SurferWith the ACC being so down this year, it is hard to imagine NCSU losing more than 5 games, maybe less. UNC 2, Dook 1, UVA 1, who else? Or course, they could win any one of those 4, as well. As I hear TOB has passed the box of Lucky Charms back to MG, haha.
Seriously, (really) MG does seem to have this team going in a positive direction. Recruiting will be the key.
Miscellaneous
Mon, 01/09/2012 - 11:56 — JPDOhioRe: Johnson
Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:46 — Shoreman67you're right of course; thoughtless wording on my part; at his height blocking three's probably ain't gonna happen; although I remember a little guy named Spud Webb who might block a few.
Yeah, as long as Stoglin is playing, the Terps have a shot at winning and the big guy ain't bad either.
Hey, so far so good, no vitriolic retorts yet to your last paragraph
Not thoughtless
Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:45 — JPDOhioI knew where you were coming from. If I remember correctly, Spud was shorter than Alex, but had some serious hops. Not sure what Alex's vertical leap is, but I've not noticed anything special there. I don't mean to criticize him. I like his speed and aggressiveness. It just gets him in trouble sometimes. The Pack sure is fun to watch though, and he is a big part of it. Good pickup by Coach Gottfried.
Wooo!
Sun, 01/08/2012 - 21:39 — mad_maxFantastic win for the Pack!! This is an awesome way to start conference play, and breaking that 9 game losing streak to the Twerps is just icing on the cake! GO PACK!!! More later when I get home...