NC State Pulls Away at the End Against Penn State, Defeats Nittany Lions 89-78

NC State is off to a 9-1 start for the first time since the 2005-06 season (started 12-1), defeating Penn State 89-78 in the Boardwalk Classic up in Atlantic City this afternoon.

The Wolfpack committed a season high 17 turnovers, and only forced 14. That’s not the normal recipe for success for the Pack.

While they didn’t take the ball away as much as they’d like, they blistered the nets on offense. NC State entered the game shooting the ball 50.6% from the field on the year, ranking 2nd in the ACC, and 12th in the nation. What they did today against the Nittany Lions was make their regular season averages look measly. NC State 61% from the field, and 50% from beyond the arch (7-14) this afternoon.

In contrast, Penn State shot 42.4% from the field, and were out-rebounded by NC State 40-29. The Wolfpack entered the contest ranked 2nd in the ACC, and 10th in the nation in rebounding margin, averaging a positive margin of 10.9. They were right on schedule.

Even though NC State led for 32:55 out of the 40 minutes played, it was close for much of the contest.

With 11:47 left in the 2nd half, the score was 58-58.

The following 10 minutes of play was the Braxton Beverly and DJ Funderburk show.

The two combined for 20 points in the final 10 minutes of the contest, putting in 10 a piece. Beverly finished with a season-high 18 points (7-10 FG/3-4 3PT) and 5 assists (tied for team high) and Funderburk finished with 12 points in only 13 minutes of play before fouling out.

Torin Dorn and CJ Bryce were the only other two NC State players that scored in the victorious stretch at the end of the game. Dorn was steady as usual, chipping in 15 points (7-11 FG), and Bryce didn’t miss from the field, finishing with 13 points (4-4 FG).

Despite oddly coming off of the bench today, Markell Johnson filled the stat sheet, with 13 points (5-7 FG), 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 22 minutes.

The Wolfpack’s next game will be at home on Wednesday night against #8 Auburn, in what will be easily the biggest game of NC State’s non-conference schedule.