Pack sneaks by Loyola

RALEIGH — N.C. State simply couldn't afford to let another game slip away.

So after watching underdog Loyola (Md.) rally for a 29-29 halftime time, the Pack mustered just enough strength to edge the hustling, resolute Greyhounds 62-60 for their eighth win in 10 starts.

Just prior to their week-long Christmas break, State had lost a
heart-breaker to Marquette on a last-second shot at the RBC Center.

And here they were in another heart-throbbing matchup.

But this time they came up with a defensive stop in the waning seconds to hang on for the victory.

With 17:7 seconds, the Greyhounds had a shot. Jamaal Barney drove, popped a fade-away jumper that hit the front of the rim and the Pack's Ben McCauley grabbed the rebound.

State had led by 16 (54-38) with about eight minutes left, but still had to go the distance to squeeze out the win.

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After watching his team lose an early lead and fall into a 29-29 halftime tie with Loyola, Pack coach Sidney Lowe no doubt had plenty to talk about during the break.

At first, it looked as if this would be an easy night for N.C. State.

The Pack, bigger and more experienced, bolted to an 18-4 lead against Loyola (Md.) team. But then the Greyhounds made a turn-around that stunned the small RBC crowd.

Attacking on offense and aggressive on defense, they went on a 23-8 run as the Wolfpack went into an offensive funk. For more than seven minutes, State didn’t make a field goal while Loyola was finding its rhythm and touch.

Marquis Sullivan and Jamal Barney led the Greyhounds with nine points each as Loyola outshot State 44.4 percent to 43.5 from the field.

Courtney Fells led State with eight points, Ben McCauley added seven and Dennis Horner -- starting for injured Trevor Ferguson -- contributed six. But the Pack would need much more.

And hey, this was Loyola (Md), whose schemes had a University of Maryland flavor. No surprise, since Jimmy Patsos -- a long-time Gary Williams assistant -- is guiding the Greyhounds program.