NC State Defeats Miami 87-82 in ACC Opener, Off to Best Start Since ’74 National Championship

Fight.

This NC State Men’s Basketball team has fight.

Miami led for most of the game on their home court (56.2%), but the Wolfpack found a way to beat the Hurricanes 87-82, to start the 2018-19 season 13-1, which is the best start since the Wolfpack won the National Championship in 1974.

The Wolfpack trailed by 8 at the half, and shot a measly 36.8% from the field, compared to the Hurricane’s 50%. Junior Point Guard Markell Johnson only played 4 minutes, picking up 2 fouls. Miami ended the first period of play on a 17-2 run.

The 2nd half was a different story.

NC State started the 2nd half on a 7-0 run, but found themselves trailing by 10 points (game high) a little bit later, but they took the lead with 6:35 left, and never looked back (A 13-0 run was key to the Wolfpack surge). The Wolfpack flipped the script in the 2nd half, shooting 56.7% from the field (50% 3PT) compared to 40.7% from the Hurricanes.

Markell Johnson didn’t start the game, but that didn’t stop him from being the player of the game.

Sophomore Miami Point Guard Chris Lykes had the game of his life, scoring a career high 28 points, and Johnson couldn’t sit back and watch. It fueled him.

Johnson finished with 20 points (17 in the second half) and 5 assists, shooting a silly 6 of 8 from the field, and 4 out of 5 from deep. He entered the game averaging 20 points and 5.3 assists against four Power 5 opponents this year, shooting 61.2% from the field.

I guess he got the memo.

Redshirt Sophomore Devon Daniels was the steadiest player for the Wolfpack in both halves, finishing with 19 points (7-10 FG) and 8 rebounds.

Sophomore Braxton Beverly and Redshirt Junior CJ Bryce also finished in double figures, with 11 and 10 respectively. Beverly also led the Wolfpack with 6 assists.

Redshirt Graduate Junior Wyatt Walker snagged 11 rebounds, with 8 of those coming on the offensive end of the court (he also chipped in 9 points).

NC State found a way to win a game on the road in the ACC when they turned the ball more than their opponent (16 to 7), and were outshot as well from the field (45.9%/45.6%), and from beyond the arch (40%/36.7%).

The Wolfpack will enjoy ice cream down Coral Gables before hosting rival #15 UNC next Tuesday night at 9pm on ESPN.

Winner, Winner pic.twitter.com/4Y15HOv2TA

— NC State Men's Bball (@PackMensBball) January 4, 2019