N.C. State Wolfpack Triumphs Over Wake Forest
In a thrilling encounter on Saturday, the N.C. State Wolfpack triumphed over Wake Forest with a decisive score of 96-78, thanks in large part to Paul McNeil Jr.‘s standout performance. McNeil showcased his sharpshooting skills by scoring 28 points, including six successful three-pointers, contributing significantly to the Wolfpack’s victory. His shooting accuracy was impressive: he converted 8 of 12 shots overall and achieved a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. With this win, N.C. State improved their record to 16-6, standing at 7-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) standings.
Game Highlights
N.C. State exhibited stellar offensive execution, particularly in the first half, where they dominated the game, holding a comfortable 49-31 lead at halftime. Their shooting percentage was notable, hitting 54% from the campo and an impressive 57% from beyond the arc.
As the second half commenced, Wake Forest attempted to mount a comeback, narrowing the gap to 52-40 courtesy of Myles Colvin’s three-pointer at 17:18. However, N.C. State quickly regained control as Darrion Williams and McNeil struck back with back-to-back threes, extending the lead to 18 points. Despite Wake Forest’s Juke Harris cutting the deficit to 62-54 midway through the half, McNeil responded decisively once again, making a crucial 26-foot jumper, which was part of a subsequent 12-3 run that ultimately quelled any hopes of a Demon Deacon upset.
Player Performances
For Wake Forest, Juke Harris led the scoring with an impressive 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win, as the team fell to 11-11 overall and 2-7 in the ACC. Omaha Biliew also contributed with 12 points. Meanwhile, for N.C. State, Darrion Williams scored 20 points, Ven-Allen Lubin provided support with 12 points and eight rebounds, and Tre Holloman recorded 10 assists.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, N.C. State is set to face SMU on Tuesday, while Wake Forest will host No. 20 Louisville next Saturday. This match represented the final Big Four clash of the season for Wake Forest, marking a pivotal moment in both teams’ campaigns for the rest of the season.
