Overview:
If NC State can bottle up the first half and replicate it, this team will be good. Nice to see a hint of the potential, even without the preseason ACC POY contributing to the score.
Game Summary:
The first half was the first time we’d seen both the NC State offense and defense playing at a high level. The Wolfpack shot 53% / 48% and held Ole Miss to 35% / 21%. Paul McNeil stayed hot from the last game and hit 4-8 from 3PT to lead the team with 12 points. 45-26 at the half.
As you might expect, NC State could not sustain the intensity in the second half and by the under 8:00 timeout, Ole Miss had cut the lead from as much as 28 early in the game to 16. After a scorching first half shooting, the Pack shot 48 % / 27% in the second. But the halftime lead was more than enough. Final score, 76-62.
Overall Takeaways:
- The Pack shot 51% / 41% for the game
- Free throw shooting (54%) needs a little Christmas break work
- NC State out rebounded Ole Miss 36 – 30, offensive 7-7, defensive 29-23
- 20 assists on 28 made baskets
- 16 turnovers, 10 in the second half
Coach Wade Post Game Comments
Individual Highlights
- Darrion Williams had his poorest game of the season, shooting 0-8 / 0-4 / 1-2
- Paul McNeil led the scoring with 19 (6-12 3PT)
- Copeland and Sagnia led rebounds with 7 each, Breed & McNeil had 6 each
- Copeland had 9 assists
Player Stats and Box Score
