Maui Finale: NC State Locks Up 6th Place, Losing to Texas 102-97

Game Summary:

NC State came out of the gate aggressively, at the first timeout leading 8-3 and forcing 3 TO, but already had 4 fouls (2 Holloman, 1 Copeland and Williams) Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to bother Texas at all. Texas is not known as a 3PT shooting team, but when the Pack kept giving them open looks, they hit 8. 8 of their 15 made baskets were 3PT shots. For the half, Texas shot 60% / 62% / 90%. At 1:59 Williams went down hard and was taken to the locker room for treatment. At the half, Williams, Holloman, Copeland, and Breed had 2 fouls each. Ven Lubin was the best player for the Pack with 9 pts, 4 reb and 1 assist. Halftime score, Texas up by ten, 47-37.

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Darrion Williams was in the starting lineup for the second half. NC State slowly clawed their way back and finally tied the game at 12:14, and again at 10:13, and finally took a 1-point lead 71—70 at the 7:14 mark. But Texas did what they did all night, they hit mostly wide open 3PT shots and NC State could not keep up with their offensive output. Final score 97-102.

Overall Takeaways:

• NC State’s defensive strategy to allow 3PT shots was a risk, and it burned the Wolfpack in this one. This is not sustainable when you play higher quality teams.

• Definition of terrible defense: Score 97 points and lose

• Definition of terrible defense: Opponent shoots 56% / 50% / 85%

• Definition of terrible defense: 55% of opponent’s made shots (16 of 29) were 3PT shots

• Texas known for inside scoring, NC State wins points in paint 46-20

• Texas known for dominant rebounding, only won 31-28. NC State led offensive rebounds 8-6. (not a lot of missed shots)

• Still too many fouls away from the basket. Two starters fouled out, plus Alyn Breed fouled out off the bench

Four Factors

Coach Wade Post Game Comments

[Interview will be inserted in the article once available online]

Individual Highlights

• Quadir Copeland with career high 28 points

• Three players 20+, Lubin with 23 and McNeil with 20

• Lubin leads rebounding with 9

• Copeland leads assists with 6

Player Stats and Box Score

Box Score