NC State Avenges Earlier Loss To Clemson With Win In Raleigh

Earlier this season NC State suffered a loss to Clemson in South Carolina.

In the rematch in North Carolina’s state capital NC State avenged that loss with a win.

The NC State men's basketball team held off a late Clemson rally Saturday afternoon to defeat the Tigers, 60-54, inside PNC Arena.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2020/1/18/mens-basketball-pack-holds-off-tigers-60-54.aspx

D.J. Funderburk led the Pack with his first career double-double, posting 13 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2020/1/18/mens-basketball-pack-holds-off-tigers-60-54.aspx

NC State used an extended 28-8 run in the first half to take a 13-point lead on a Devon Daniels basket in the final minute of the opening half. After jumping out to an early 5-0 lead, the Pack watched Clemson go on a 15-3 streak to take a 15-8 lead with 12:17 to left in the first half. NC State turned up the defensive pressure the rest of the half, holding the Tigers to just three made field goals in the final 12 minutes of the half to go into the locker room with a 12-point lead.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2020/1/18/mens-basketball-pack-holds-off-tigers-60-54.aspx

 Daniels, Funderburk and Johnson all scored 13 points to lead NC State. Bryce also reached double figures with 11 points.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2020/1/18/mens-basketball-pack-holds-off-tigers-60-54.aspx

While NC State avenged their earlier season loss Clemson meanwhile had to settle for a split in the regular season.

Aamir Simms led the way for the Tigers. The big man led all scorers with 18 points to go along with his 11 rebounds as part of Simms’ third career double-double. Simms also knocked down a pair of 3-balls. Tevin Mack chipped in 12 points for the Tigers and corralled six boards, as well.”according to https://clemsontigers.com/clemson-falls-to-nc-state-60-54/

After falling down 5-0 early on, Clemson surged to an 11-5 lead, with 10 of those 11 points being scored by Simms, who tabbed 12 points in the first half. That eventually stretched into a 15-3 run for the Tigers, but NC State responded with an 11-1 run of its own that culminated in the Wolfpack leading 19-16 with eight minutes remaining in the half. NC State shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and led 36-24 at the intermission.”according to https://clemsontigers.com/clemson-falls-to-nc-state-60-54/

Following halftime, John Newman III sparked Clemson with a couple of jump shots, including a 3-ball, to cut the Tigers’ deficit to seven points. An 11-0 NC State run ensued, though, resulting in the Wolfpack building up an 18-point advantage, which was the largest lead of the game by either team. True to form, the Tigers did not give in, and a 12-2 run pulled Clemson to within eight points of NC State with under seven minutes to play. Eventually, a pivotal 3-pointer by NC State’s Braxton Beverly placed the Wolfpack ahead by nine points with 47 seconds left, and Clemson ended up falling 60-54.”according to https://clemsontigers.com/clemson-falls-to-nc-state-60-54/

NC State now heads to Charlottesville to face the defending national champions in Virginia on Monday night.