Leslie Leads Wolfpack Over Bonnies 92-73

CJ Leslie had a career day on Saturday, dropping 33 points and grabbing 8 boards as he guided NC State past St. Bonaventure 92-73.

Richard Howell found himself in an all too familiar situation when he had to exit midway through the first half with foul trouble. Luckily, his teammates were there to help him out. Leslie went 10-13 from the floor and hit 13-18 free throws on his way to his career high 33 points. And it wasn’t only Leslie who was having a big day. Scott Wood continued his hot shooting, knocking down five more 3s  on his way to 23 points.

The torrid shooting helped NC State, ranked #1 in FG% in the nation, to keep that edge. The Pack shot 57% and stepped up on defense to hold the Bonnies to only 40%. But getting such easy shots wasn’t easy. The Pack got uncontested buckets all night thanks to the deft passing of Lorenzo Brown. The junior point guard seems to be completely over his early season hiccups and is back leading the Pack. Brown finished the night with 11 assists.

QUOTES
NC State head coach Mark Gottfried

On four returning starters
“Those four guys have been through the wars. They have been on the road at this
level. They need to lead and I think they are doing a good job of that. Richard was in
foul trouble today, which is unusual because of how many games he has had lately
where he has not been in foul trouble. I do think those four veteran guys have
stepped it up.”
“It’s interesting. We shoot 57 percent again. We are sitting over there as a staff,
frustrating that we are not running our offense as well as we can, but we had 32
baskets on 21 assists. That’s a pretty good day. We are doing a lot of things well. But
I still think there are a lot of areas where we can improve, on how we cut, ball sticks
in our hands a little too long at times. I thought the key today was [C.J. Leslie] inside,
Scott on the perimeter and Lorenzo Brown’s floor management.”
“We try to put Scott and Calvin on the same side of the floor. It doesn’t always work
that way, but you are trying to always put the defense in tough situations. Because
of the way people are always trying to guard Scott, you have to guard him certain
ways, you can’t help off of him. Calvin is good at recognizing when he has a double
team and when there is not. When he has it one-on-one from about 12 feet away,
with his quickness, he becomes a really tough player.”
“Today, he also went 13 for 18 from the free-throw line, which is a tremendous
improvement from him. If he becomes a player who shoots foul shots at that
percentage, he really becomes a tough guy to defend. He was really good today.”

On Lorenzo Brown
“It’s interesting at times, if you slow down, just a little bit, you play better. I thought
earlier, he was too fast, rushing it, tough shots, trying to create too much. Now, he’s
slowed down. He’s getting us in our offense, he’s better, penetrating when it’s there.
Today he had 11 assists with two turnovers. That’s a pretty strong day. The last four
or five games, he’s really improved from earlier in the year.”

On holiday break
“It’s time. With going to Puerto Rico, coming back, playing a lot of games, it’s time for
a break. We will give them three days off. They can get out of here and relax, get
their legs back under them and be ready to play. Western Michigan coming in next
week, we better be ready to play. Like today [vs. St. Bonaventure], they are a
dangerous team that is pretty solid. We can’t take many”

NC State forward C.J. Leslie
“They are a good team. They are going to win a lot of games. The main thing is that
may be one guy who is hot. Lately, all of the leaders and upperclassmen have been
contributing and playing well to a certain extent. We all have stepped up and played
fairly well these last couple of games”
“I am ready for the ACC. I think we are still getting prepared. We are definitely
ready.”
“I just wanted to come out and be aggressive. We have some important games
coming up. We have to be a little more serious. I’m not saying I wasn’t serious
before, but it’s just time to buckle down and be ready to play.”
“I just saw I had hustle and step up. Richard was in a little foul trouble. It’s been
either him getting the rebounds or me getting them.”

“Veterans are here to pick you up.”