NC State Falls To Clemson On The Road In Their Atlantic Coast Conference Opener
NC State's start to league play under first year head coach Kevin Keatts didn't go as planned Saturday as they got beat by Clemson at Little John Coliseum.
Clemson used a 13-2 run at the end of the first half to push itself into a lead it would never relinquish as NC State lost its ACC opener to the Tigers, 78-62, on Saturday afternoon at Littlejohn Coliseum. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/12/30/mens-basketball-pack-falls-to-clemson-in-acc-opener.aspx
With the loss, NC State falls to 10-4, 0-1 in the ACC, while Clemson improves to 12-1, 1-0 in the ACC. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/12/30/mens-basketball-pack-falls-to-clemson-in-acc-opener.aspx
The Pack led by as many as six points in the first half and held a 22-20 lead after two Abdul - Malik -Abu free throws with 5:10 left in the half, but could only manage two points in the final five minutes of the half as Clemson's 13-2 run gave the Tigers a 33-24 lead at halftime. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/12/30/mens-basketball-pack-falls-to-clemson-in-acc-opener.aspx
NC State closed within six points on three different occasions in the first four minutes of the second half, but Clemson went on another 11-point run, this time a 14-3 streak, to push the lead to 19 points, 62-43, with 8:28 to effectively put the game out of reach. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/12/30/mens-basketball-pack-falls-to-clemson-in-acc-opener.aspx
Braxton Beverly led the Pack in scoring for the first time this season, scoring a team-high 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting Omer Yurtseven posted his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He added a career-high tying five blocked shots. Allerik Freeman was the only other Pack player to reach double figures in scoring, finishing with 14 points. Torin Dorn finished with seven points and 10 rebounds. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/12/30/mens-basketball-pack-falls-to-clemson-in-acc-opener.aspx
The Pack entered the game an ACC-best +60 in turnover margin, but were -5 in turnover margin on Saturday and Clemson outscored NC State, 24-10, in points off turnovers. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/12/30/mens-basketball-pack-falls-to-clemson-in-acc-opener.aspx
NC State outrebounded Clemson 45-40 and had a 14-9 advantage in offensive rebounds, but the Tigers outscored the Pack in the paint, 42-22. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/12/30/mens-basketball-pack-falls-to-clemson-in-acc-opener.aspx
NC State now hits the road as they will travel to South Bend Indiana where they will take on Notre Dame Wednesday.
Tip-off is set for 9:00pm. The game will be televised on the ACC Network. "according to http://www.gopack.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball