NC State Looks To Snap Their Three Game Losing Streak As They Visit Pittsburgh
On Saturday NC State who has lost three straight games will visit Pittsburgh looking to end their three game losing streak.
NC State comes into the game with a record of 16-7 while they’re 4-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference while Pittsburgh comes into the game with a record of 12-11 while they’re 2-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
As for NC State’s previous game, they lost to North Carolina on the road in Chapel Hill earlier in the week.
The NC State men's basketball team fell at eighth-ranked UNC-Chapel Hill, 113-96, Tuesday night inside the Dean E. Smith Center. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-pack-falls-at-8th-ranked-tar-heels.aspx
The loss dropped the Pack to 16-7 overall and 4-6 in conference play, while the Tar Heels move to 18-4 overall and 8-1 in the ACC. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-pack-falls-at-8th-ranked-tar-heels.aspx
For the sixth time this season, the Pack had five players post double-digits in the scoring column. Braxton Beverly led the Pack with 17 points, while CJ Bryce (15) and DJ Funderburk (14) followed closely behind. Torin Dorn and Devon Daniels tallied 11 points and 10 points, respectively. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-pack-falls-at-8th-ranked-tar-heels.aspx
Despite hanging tight with the Tar Heels during the opening minutes of action, the Tar Heels used an 8-2 run to take its first double-digit lead of the game with 8:02 left in the first half and the Pack was never able to get within single digits again. Both teams shot 50 percent or better from the field in the first 20 minutes, with the Pack shooting 5-of-9 (.556) from three-point range. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-pack-falls-at-8th-ranked-tar-heels.aspx
The difference came at the free throw line, where the Tar Heels knocked down 13 of their 16 shots from the charity stripe in the first half after NC State found itself in early foul trouble. The Pack was just 1-for-5 from the foul line in the opening 20 minutes. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-pack-falls-at-8th-ranked-tar-heels.aspx
UNC took a 56-40 lead into the break, marking the Pack's largest halftime deficit of the season. Despite shooting 50 percent from the floor in the second half, NC State was never able to cut into the deficit in the second half. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-pack-falls-at-8th-ranked-tar-heels.aspx
Luke Maye led the Tar Heels with a double-double, scoring 31 points and hauling in 12 rebounds. Five UNC players posted double-digit scoring performances, including four of five starters. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-pack-falls-at-8th-ranked-tar-heels.aspx
Like NC State, Pittsburgh also lost their previous game as they were topped by Wake Forest in Winston Salem but unlike NC State’s game Pittsburgh’s game against Wake Forest went into overtime.
Wake Forest survived a back-and-forth overtime contest against Pitt, 78-76, on Tuesday evening at the LJVM Coliseum. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-panthers-edged-in-overtime-by-wake-forest-78-76.aspx
The two teams, who both entered on five-game losing streaks in Atlantic Coast Conference play, traded runs in the second half as the Demon Deacons (9-13, 2-8 ACC) and Panthers (12-11, 2-8) both appeared to have control at moments down the stretch. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-panthers-edged-in-overtime-by-wake-forest-78-76.aspx
With Pitt leading by two in the final seconds and Wake Forest in possession, freshman Jaylen Hoard fortuitously corralled Chaundee Brown's air ball miss and scored a layup to tie the game with one second remaining in regulation. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-panthers-edged-in-overtime-by-wake-forest-78-76.aspx
Brown wouldn't miss his second opportunity to play the hero, converting a decisive 3-pointer with 37 seconds left in overtime to break a tie. Wake would hold on for its second ACC win of the season. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-panthers-edged-in-overtime-by-wake-forest-78-76.aspx
Pitt was led by freshman guard Xavier Johnson, who scored a game-high 23 points and added nine assists and six rebounds. Johnson sparked Pitt's 8-0 run to begin the game and also brought the Panthers back from a 61-53 deficit in the final five minutes. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-panthers-edged-in-overtime-by-wake-forest-78-76.aspx
Jared Wilson-Frame added 17 points for the Panthers thanks to five 3-pointers, and grad transfer guard Sidy N'Dir was impactful off the bench with 15 points – 13 of which came in the second half. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-panthers-edged-in-overtime-by-wake-forest-78-76.aspx
For Wake Forest, Hoard led the way with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Brown scored 18 points, while Brandon Childress fought through an ankle injury during the game to tally 18 points as well. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-panthers-edged-in-overtime-by-wake-forest-78-76.aspx
Tip-off is set for 2:00pm from Petersen Events Center. The game will be televised on Raycom Sports.