NC State Outlasts Hofstra 84-78 in 1st Rd of the NIT

Despite their disappointment in missing the NCAA Tournament, the Wolfpack fanbase came out in droves tonight for NC State’s 84-78 victory over Hofstra in the 1st round of the NIT, selling out Reynolds Coliseum.

The Wolfpack had no answer for the Pride’s Justin Wright-Foreman in the 1st half, scoring 17 points. Wright-Foreman averaged 27 points per game this year, ranking 2nd in the NCAA. He finished the night with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

NC State fans were nervous at the break, with Hofstra leading 42-39 at halftime.

“2nd-half Markell” was in full force tonight. The Junior Wolfpack point guard scored 20 points in the 2nd half. He finished the night with 26 points, tying Hawkeye Whitney (1978) for the most points scored by an NC State player in an NIT game.

Senior Torin Dorn and CJ Bryce were the only other Wolfpack players to finish in double-figures, scoring 19 and 18 respectively. Bryce and Dorn also led NC State on the boards, with 11 and 9 respectively.

Hofstra made things interesting in the final minutes.

NC State held a 78-70 lead with 3:14 left on the clock, but the Pride went on a 6-0 run, making it a 2-point game with 2:24 left.

With 46 seconds left on the clock, it was still a 2-point game.

Johnson’s killer instinct kicked in with an And-1 layup with 19 seconds on the clock, that ultimately was the nail in the coffin.

NC State out-rebounded Hofstra 49-32, and held Hofstra to 41.5% shooting from the field.

The Wolfpack are now 23-11, and will host the winner of the # 6 Harvard vs. #3 Georgetown on Sunday night at 7:30pm in Reynolds Coliseum. The 23 wins marks the most since 2012-13.

Photo Credit: @Fred_Demarest