NC State Tops FIU Before Opening The Barclays Center Classic In Raleigh

Before opening up the Barclays Center Classic that will start Saturday when NC State host St. Francis Brooklyn in North Carolina’s state capital at Reynolds Coliseum Kevin Keatts team recorded their second win of the season as they topped FIU.

The NC State men's basketball team (2-1, 0-1) defeated FIU (1-2, 0-0) 86-77 on Wednesday night at PNC Arena, led by C.J. Bryce's 16-point, seven-rebound performance. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

Six players scored in double figures for the Wolfpack (Bryce, Devon Daniels - 14 points, Pat Andree - 14 points, D.J. Funderburk - 11 points, Markell Johnson - 10 points and Manny Bates - 10 points). It marked the first time the feat has been accomplished since November of 2017 (VMI).”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

Bryce and Daniels were the catalysts of NC State's offense in the second half with 12 points and 10 points, respectively.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

With the game knotted up coming out of the halftime break, NC State weathered a quick 5-0 Panther run at the start of the second 20 minutes. The Pack's defense came to play, forcing 17 second-half turnovers.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

NC State ratcheted up the intensity on the defensive end in the final 10 minutes of action. FIU turned the ball over eight times in five minutes, and over that time, the Pack extended its lead to eight points. NC State took its first double-digit lead of the game (70-60) with six minutes remaining to give the squad a cushion the rest of the way.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

Bench points and the Pack's effort on the offensive glass boosted the team, as the support squad outscored FIU's 39-10. NC State turned 18 offensive rebounds into 20 second-chance points, compared to the Panthers' six offensive rebounds for seven second-chance points. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

Funderburk and Bates led the attack on the glass with six and five offensive rebounds, respectively. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

The uptempo pace of the first half led to a game of runs that evened itself out at 37 after the opening 20 minutes of play. FIU opened with a 9-2 lead thanks to a 9-0 run, but Andree sparked the squad off the bench with four three-pointers over a three-minute span. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

NC State will remain in North Carolina’s state capital when they host St. Francis. The only thing that will be different is where the game will be played. Instead of being in action at PNC Arena for the first two games of the Barclays Center Classic they will be played at Reynolds Coliseum where the Women’s Basketball team plays their home games. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-strong-second-half-lifts-nc-state-past-fiu-86-77.aspx

While NC State got their second win of the season FIU had a setback.

The FIU men's basketball team battled NC State at PNC Arena on Wednesday night. The Panthers kept the game close but fell to the Wolfpack 86-77. “according to https://fiusports.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-fiu-falls-short-at-nc-state.aspx

FIU moves to 1-2 for the season with the loss. NC State goes to 2-1 early in the season. “according to https://fiusports.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-fiu-falls-short-at-nc-state.aspx

In the first half, the Panther squad led for 10:33, with 10 points being the largest lead. The team shot 51.9% from the field but 35.7% from behind the arc and entered a 37-37 stalemate following the first 20 minutes.”according to https://fiusports.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-fiu-falls-short-at-nc-state.aspx

Tevin Brewer led FIU on offense with 12 points to start the game while Osasumwen Osaghae tallied a team-high six rebounds and posted a blocked shot.”according to https://fiusports.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-fiu-falls-short-at-nc-state.aspx

Coming out of the locker room, the team continued to shoot the ball well, going 50% from the field and 55.6% from three, but the team gave up 17 turnovers compared to just five in the opening half. Devon Andrews posted 18 points for the Panthers, but it was not enough to power past the Pack, and FIU fell 86-77.”according to https://fiusports.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-fiu-falls-short-at-nc-state.aspx

Individually, Andrews led the Panther squad with 21 points, a new season-best for the senior. Brewer recorded 19 points, shooting 7-10 from the field and 3-5 from three for a career-best at FIU. Osaghae finished the contest with 11 points and four blocked shots.”according to https://fiusports.com/news/2019/11/13/mens-basketball-fiu-falls-short-at-nc-state.aspx

NC State will now prepare to open the Barclays Center Classic on Saturday against St. Francis Brooklyn.