NC State Out Quick Tigers 73-59

A tale of two halves for NC State as they started the game with little energy and focus. Luckily for the Pack the Missouri Tigers didn’t have the talent to capitalize on the lackadaisical start. Even though State didn’t execute well, Cat Barber bailed them out once again as he put his team on his back offensively. Barber finished the 1st with 19 points on 6-9 shooting. It was Barber once again making a three at the buzzer, as he sized up the would be defender with a stare down step back to give State a 29-28 advantage heading into intermission.

Gottfried must of gotten through to his players as they played with more energy and focus in the final half. State exploded for 44 points as a team as they displayed better patience on the offensive end. The big difference in this game came at the foul line, State converted 24 of 30 attempts compared to Missouri’s 8 of 19 at the charity stripe. Otherwise the Tigers out shot the Pack as they shot 43% from the field compared too State’s 40%.

NC State also pounded the glass as they out rebounded the Tigers 41-29, leading the Pack in the rebounded department was Malik Abu with 11, who also added 13 points for another double-double. In summary Missouri was an inferior team compared to the Pack, once State settled down and played with more energy they were able to overpower them. Cat Barber was stellar once again as he poured in 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. It should also be noted that NC State shot 80% from the free throw line, Abu was 5-5 on the night. Cody Martin also gutted it out and played despite injuring his ankle last game, he finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

Mark Gottfried reached his 100th victory in Red & White with the win today, he become the second fastest to reach the century mark, only trailing Everette Case. NC State will take the floor again this Tuesday night as they face UNCG at the PNC Arena.