It’s not very often that your opponent outshoots you in every facet of the game, and you manage to win.
NC State was down by as much as 10 points to FIU tonight in the first half, but benefited from the hot hand of Graduate Transfer Pat Andree, who connected on 4 three-pointers (4-7), finishing the game with 14 points in only 14 minutes.
The Wolfpack and the Panthers went into halftime tied up at 37 points.
After trailing by as much as 5 in the 2nd half, NC State took the lead at the 13:44 mark, and never lost it.
While the Wolfpack couldn’t count on burning up the nets tonight, they found other ways to secure a victory.
- They out-rebounded FIU 38-31, but the bigger factor was the advantage on the offensive glass (18-6), which led to 20 second chance Wolfpack points (FIU – 7).
- NC State forced the Panthers to turn the ball over 22 times, compared to a modest 12 of their own.
- They also spread the wealth, with 6 players scoring in double-figures
- Redshirt Senior C.J. Bryce – 16
- Redshirt Junior Devon Daniels – 14
- Graduate Senior Pat Andree – 14
- Redshirt Junior D.J. Funderburk – 11
- Redshirt Freshman Manny Bates – 10
- Senior Markell Johnson – 10
Markell Johnson looked rusty all night long (3-14 FG), especially at the beginning of the game getting two 3-point shots blocked, while recklessly turning the ball over.
Funderburk and Bryce tied for the team high in rebounds, with 7 a piece.
The return of Funderburk from suspension was a matter of perfect timing. With the team slightly off against a feisty FIU team, he was a stabilizing factor for the Pack, sinking a dagger of a midrange jumper with 1:41 left on the clock.
NC State will host St. Francis on Saturday in Reynolds Coliseum in a Heritage Game at Noon.
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