Kevin Keatts Records First Atlantic Coast Conference Win As NC State Beats Duke In Raleigh

Third time is charm as NC State returned to PNC Arena, got back in the win column while first year head coach Kevin Keatts recorded his first Atlantic Coast Conference win.

North Carolina State coach Kevin Keatts saw his team respond to a pair of double-digit Atlantic Coast Conference losses with a fearless style and aggressive play. And for the second time this season, it was good enough for the Wolfpack to take down the nation's No. 2-ranked team -- this time instate neighbor Duke. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

Omer Yurtseven had 16 points while Torin Dorn hit two huge 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes to help N.C. State upset the Blue Devils 96-85 on Saturday night, giving the Wolfpack's first-year coach his first league win. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

It came roughly six weeks after his team beat then-No. 2 Arizona in an early season tournament. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

"I don't know what my team learned, I know what I've learned," Keatts said. "Every team that we play, I'm going to tell them they're ranked No. 2 in the country." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

Much like that Arizona win, the Wolfpack (11-5, 1-2 ACC) played with confident control. N.C. State erased an 11-point first-half lead to take a 43-41 lead at the break, then shot 55 percent after halftime and never trailed."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

Quite a performance for a team that was coming off an 88-58 loss at Notre Dame on Wednesday, and a 78-62 loss at Clemson before that. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

"I don't think this team ever lost confidence," Keatts said, adding: "We just needed to get home and sleep in our own bed. We needed to get home and get some home-cooking. And certainly it worked out." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

Yurtseven and Dorn (16 points) led six players in double figures for N.C. State, which finished with a 34-32 advantage on the boards against a team that came in ranked second nationally in rebounding margin. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

Duke's offense didn't have much trouble against the first wave of the Wolfpack's fullcourt pressure. Star freshman Marvin Bagley III had 31 points and 10 rebounds, and Duke shot 52 percent. But Duke (13-2, 1-2) made just 3 of 15 3-point attempts and committed 16 turnovers leading to 22 points for N.C. State, which celebrated this one with its rowdy red-clad fans charging to midcourt at the horn. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

"We did not play with much poise," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "I thought we were frantic. I think they made us that way. Obviously they deserved to win." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

BIG PICTURE

Duke: The Blue Devils have encountered plenty of trouble after making the 25-mile drive from campus in Raleigh in recent years. They had lost three of their last five here against the Wolfpack dating to 2010 -- including a double-digit loss in their national-championship season in 2015 -- and also suffered a first-round NCAA Tournament upset loss to Mercer in PNC Arena in 2014. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

N.C. State: The Wolfpack had managed a big-stage moment once this year with its Arizona win to start the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas in easily the best win of Keatts' brief tenure. His team sure found a way to top it. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

"We were undefeated when we came to the Arizona game, but we came to this game with a 30-point loss and a 20-point loss before that," Yurtseven said. "So I think it was just us keeping our heads together and sticking in." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

DORN'S BIG SHOTS

While the Wolfpack played from in front throughout the second half, it wasn't until Dorn knocked down those huge 3s that the Wolfpack finally had firm control. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

Dorn first hit a 3 from the corner over an oncoming Bagley with 2:02 left and N.C. State protecting a four-point lead. Then Dorn hit one to beat the shot clock on an inbounds pass while being fouled by Javin DeLaurier and ending up on the court, a four-point play that pushed the Wolfpack to a 91-80 lead with 1:06 left. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

"The first one definitely felt good leaving my hand," Dorn said. "The four-point play, when it left, I got hit and it felt good, too. But I couldn't see it go in because I fell." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

DEFENSIVE ISSUES

N.C. State repeatedly scored on drive-and-dish plays to go with a 23-for-25 performance at the foul line. To listen to Duke freshman Trevon Duval, the problem was poor communication. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

"We didn't have any communication," Duval said. "And when we did talk, we did get stops. We just have to do it more consistently." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211691665

Duke will now regroup and prepare for their next road game as they visit Pittsburgh Wednesday while NC State will prepare to host Clemson Thursday night at PNC Arena.

Duke and Pittsburgh will tip-off at 7:00pm on ESPN2 from Petersen Events Center . "according to http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=4200&SPID=1845&SPSID=22726 while NC State meanwhile will tip-off at 9:00pm on ESPN. "according to http://www.gopack.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball