BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Just when it all seemed to be coming together for N.C. State — the teamwork, the toughness, the second-half offense – it all fell apart.
The Wolfpack, winners of six of its previous eight games, couldn’t score, didn’t defend, and ended its season with a 72-52 blowout loss to UAB in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament on Saturday.
In-so-doing, State squandered the opportunity to try to avenge two regular-season losses to rival North Carolina. Instead, the second-seeded Blazers (25-8) advance to play fourth-seeded Tar Heels on Tuesday at Bartow Arena at either 7 or 9 p.m. EST; the time has not officially been set.
The Pack (20-16) trailed 6-0 early, but even a timeout by coach Sidney Lowe didn’t help matters.
It got behind by double figures within the first seven minutes, didn’t reach double figures until 6:32 remained in the first half, and managed to shoot only 24 percent before halftime, when it trailed 37-17.
Pack freshman Scott Wood made his team’s first 3-pointer of the game to cut it to 37-21 early in the second half, but State couldn’t get anything consistently going, particularly on offense.
With 9:22 left, Lowe picked up a technical; the free throws gave UAB a 52-30 lead.
Dennis Horner led the Pack with 23 points; UAB’s Elijah Millsap finished with 27.
It marks an abrupt end to what had been a solid late-season run for the Pack. Not only did the Wolfpack win three of its last four regular-season games, it won their first two in the ACC tournament to earn an NIT bid.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
bottom feeder!!
Mon, 03/22/2010 - 10:17 — bluecat69bluecat69the cow college will always be a bottom feeder!!! ok, go duke!!!
Congrats to the Pack for
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 23:04 — unc098Congrats to the Pack for playing with such heart at the end of the season. Keep this up next year and the sky is the limit. I was really looking forward to Carmichael next week but......
Good news/bad news
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 22:26 — JPDOhioFirst the bad news- The Pack lost ugly.
The good news- they were so bad that I wasn't tempted to ignore my future in-laws, who I met for the first time at my daughter's engagement party.
The result was unfortunate, but it is another lesson these guys will ponder until next year. You gotta show up every game. I still believe college hoops in the Triangle is going to be something to behold next year, with all three teams very competitive.
Also, we all stopped to watch the end of the KU-Northern Iowa game. Awesome!
Thanks guys
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 16:33 — JPDOhioIt was a great evening with another very sports oriented family. There were flat screen TV's everywhere and I had the game playing at strategic spots throughout the room so the game was in sight no matter where I was. The future in-laws saw this as normal behavior, not as a problem.
Unfortunately, it seems like I expended more effort than the Pack did last night. Bad game notwithstanding, I believe State turned the corner this year. There is a solid nucleus returning and the addition of some promising guards who can handle the ball, which is the primary area of need.
Next year should be exciting for college hoops in the Triangle. Duke will be good again, especially if Singler returns. And it looks like the second life that the NIT gave UNC has paid off. I saw none of yesterday's game, but the Tar Heels beat a good team on the road and it sounds like the younger guys were the major factor. That bodes well for the future.
celebration
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 10:33 — gvillegatrhere, here to your daughter and her up and coming marriage. I am sure her beau will make a fine son-in-law in the coming months.
Congratulations
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 02:01 — Heels20on the future son-in-law. I was pulling for the Pack and I felt some of the pain. Maybe they over-looked UAB by getting over-excited about a rematch with the Heels. Who knows? Either way, it looks like we'll see both teams improved next year. Hope things work out for the Pack.
A RETURN
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 20:53 — YAR8packThe Wolfpack of old reared it's ugly head. I wasn't able to watch the game. Glad I didn't.
The Pack didn't turn the ball over in the second half but 3 more times after turning it over 10 times in the first half. However, going 3-11 from 3-point land didn't aid them. 19-53 from overall. ______ ugly.
On a less duller note: Hey, how about N. Iowa? March Madness indeed.
I was hoping they would go
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 21:33 — duke_blueI was hoping they would go farther in the NIT. Oh well. How about N. Iowa and St. Mary's. Brackets are being shattered all around.
Well
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 19:26 — Heels20I don't think this loss will be enough to kill the spirits for what may be coming next season. This team knows they can win, and I think we can expect to see a more talented and experienced team next season.
Way to go Wolfpack
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 19:14 — mad_maxCouldn't end the season in a worse way than that.