Staff photo by Ethan Hyman
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RALEIGH — For a moment, let your imagination run rampant.
Picture the No. 10 ranked team in the ACC beating the No. 7 ranked team in the nation. Envision N.C. State guard Farnold Degand out scoring Wake Forest’s player-of-the-year candidate Jeff Teague. Close your eyes and see Brandon Costner going on a scoring spree.
All that and more happened Wednesday night at the RBC Center, where the Wolfpack emerged from the depths of the conference to conquer Wake 82-76.
Those aware of State's habit of losing leads might have been expecting a meltdown. But Costner scored 15 points in the first six minutes, 12 seconds of the second half to push the Pack into a 62-42 advantage, creating ear-rattling Wolfpish howls.
The pressing, redoubtable Deacons would roar back and cut State’s lead to 78-76 in the last minute. But this time, the Pack -- which had lost an 18-point lead and the game at Virginai Tech Sunday -- refused to lose, refused to fold.
They clinched when Javier Gonzalez sank two free throws with 17.6 seconds left, putting the Pack out of harm’s way. When the final buzzer sounded, students rushed the court.
Suddenly, there was life again in a season that going awry. Suddenly, there was hope again.
And when all the tumult, shooting and shouting had ended, the Pack walked off the court looking confident, looking renewed.
Costner, with the big second half, finished with 23 points and Degand 14 compared to Teague’s 11. James Johnson led Wake Forest with 21.
Comments
The Pack is Back!! Where
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 00:22 — nascarpackneckThe Pack is Back!!
Where will we be ranked after this?
Ranking
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:59 — SurferGosh, I don't know, but as daisyapex said, "Wake beat UNC and Duke. Now Pack best team in ACC", I guess that makes the pack #1 in the ACC? (looks like daisy is folowing the TOB school of logic).
Seriously though, since they are currently 101, perhaps they will move into the top 100, yeah they are back baby.
Crawl back in your hole,
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 02:20 — JamesinWillowSpringsCrawl back in your hole, please.
good win
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 23:59 — gvillegatras a young Royal Ambasador in the mid early to mid 80's, I used to get free tickets to the NCSU and WFU game in the Greensboro Coliseum. Always enjoyed it and it was always sold out. the highlights on WRAL showed that this game appeared to be sold out as well. great rivlry in its own right.
but, I thought it was a little out of taste fro NCSU students to rush the court for beating WFU.
Rush the floor
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:50 — SurferThey should rush the floor at every opportunity, except after the NCCU game, surely they didn't then?
About rushing the court...
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:19 — JPDOhioI agree with the last comment to a degree. I chalk it up to a release of frustration as the team finally held a lead instead of blowing it. Can't blame them for that.
No worse than Carolina fans
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 02:19 — JamesinWillowSpringsNo worse than Carolina fans rushing Franklin St. for beating an over-ranked Duke team.
forest for the trees
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:04 — gvillegatrhuge difference in rushing a street, after drinking beer at the bars most of the night, and rushing a court to do nothing for 5 mins. even Costner said he was embarassed b/c the fans rushed the court.
A Long Deserved Win
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 23:28 — Mick007Hoo Wah!!!!!!!! Finally, a long, deserved win. And at home, in the RBC, for the State kids in the stands. As the saying goes, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while, but I, for one, will savor this nut.
but I, for one, will savor
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 02:18 — JamesinWillowSpringsbut I, for one, will savor this nut.
I don't think I woulda said that, friend!
;)
They may find a few more nuts this season...
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 23:55 — JPDOhioand not just the ones that frequent this blog.
Too bad nobody could watch
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 23:12 — aideanToo bad nobody could watch it (unless at the game)...Thanks Raycom for ruining my night.
Best 6 bucks...
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 23:54 — JPDOhioI have spent in a while.
Ticket prices
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:44 — SurferWow, I know things have gotten bad, but $6 for a ticket, that is in the realm of Dook football prices.
(I know, I know, ppv) Congrats on a good win.
I haven't done the math...
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 11:05 — JPDOhioBut I am pretty sure my average cost per win is much better on ACC Select than it is on ESPN Full Court.
Not deja vu all over again
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 22:40 — JPDOhioThank goodness. It was great to watch the Pack finally hold off the rally and pull out a win against a really good team. This team has competed all year and finally got a well-earned good result.
The improved play is a direct result of Farnold Degand playing solid, mistake free ball. Javi still turns the ball over too much, but he also did some very good things tonight.
Perhaps the season is not totally lost after all.
:)
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 22:09 — arcourieYay Pack! :)
Great win
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 21:55 — daisyapexWake beat UNC and Duke. Now Pack best team in ACC