Wolfpack Down Virginia, 77-63
RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State (10-10, 3-6 ACC) shot 60 percent from the field and tied its season high of 12 made 3-pointers as the Wolfpack went on to defeat Virginia (11-8, 5-4 ACC) 77-63 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina Saturday afternoon (Jan. 22).
Virginia had three players score in double figures in Armaan Franklin (14 points), Jayden Gardner (13 points) and Reece Beekman (12 points). As a team, the Cavaliers shot 42 percent from the field and tallied a season-high 10 made 3-pointers.
NC State’s 77 points are the most by a UVA opponent this season. In addition to connecting a dozen made 3-pointers, the Wolfpack out-scored UVA in the paint, 34-16.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite the Cavaliers leading for 11:05 of game time in the first half, NC State held a 40-32 advantage at the half after knocking down nine of its 14 3-point attempts in the first 20 minutes of play. Virginia started the game 9-for-12 from the field and made its first three attempts from downtown. The Cavaliers concluded the first half shooting 50 percent (13-26 FG) from the floor, including 71 percent (5-7 3FG) from downtown. UVA’s five made 3-pointers were the most in a half by the Cavaliers since they hit seven 3-pointers in the second half against Iowa (Nov. 29) at John Paul Jones Arena earlier this season. The Wolfpack put together a pair of 11-0 runs late in the first half, which were separated by just one UVA made bucket – a three by Franklin. Gardner led the Cavaliers in scoring at the break with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting and made his only attempt at the charity stripe. Defensively, Beekman, the ACC’s leader in steals, notched all three of his steals in the first half to extend his steal streak to nine consecutive games.
The Wolfpack scored 10 of the first 13 points of the second half before grasping their largest lead of the contest (70-49) with 6:19 to play. Virginia struggled offensively in the second half, shooting 35 percent from the field with just 10 made field goals. Beekman scored 10 of his 12 total points in the final 20 minutes of play. Kody Stattmann chipped in eight points for the Cavaliers, all of which came in the second half.
UP NEXT
Virginia hosts Louisville (11-8, 5-4 ACC) in an ACC Big Monday contest on Jan. 24. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN.