The NC State Wolfpack went the last 3:14 of overtime without scoring a field goal, which would prove costly as Clemson scored with 12 seconds left to go ahead four points closing out a crucial 74-70 ACC victory over the Wolfpack Tuesday night inside of Littlejohn Colesium.
NC State falls to 6-2 overall (2-1 ACC), while the Tigers jump to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
DJ Funderburk followed his impressive return against Boston College with another 20 point outing, also going a perfect 9-9 from the charity stripe. Devin Daniels had a double-double, tallying 18 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Honor paced the Tigers with 21 points.
NC State started the game shooting well, knocking down three out of their first five shots, but saw themselves trailing on the scoreboard 8-7 at the 15:46 media break. The game remained tight as neither team could pull ahead by more than two with NC State leading 12-10 with 11:54 left in the half.
The Wolfpack’s hot shooting continued as they pulled ahead 26-20 with 7:24 remaining before the break. NC State extended its lead to 34-26 with a jumper from Thomas Allen. Clemson proceeded to trim the Wolfpack lead to 34-32 with a quick 6-0 run. The half of runs continued as NC State closed the half on a 5-0 run, with all five of the points coming from senior DJ Funderburk who closed the half with a two-hand slam from Shakeel Moore putting NC State ahead 39-32 at the half.
Manny Bates opened the second half with a basket opening up the Wolfpack lead to 9 at 41-32. The Tigers settled in slowly, trimming away at their deficit cutting the NC State lead to 42-39 at the 15:29 mark with a 7-1 run. The score then seesawed with Clemson cutting the Wolfpack lead to one twice before NC State went ahead by three 53-50 with a layup from senior Devon Daniles with 7:59 left in regulation.
After an NC State timeout with 5:38 left leading 57-50, a shot clock violation out of the break led to a three-pointer from Clemson making the score 57-53. Both teams traded punches with NC State holding a slim 60-59 lead with just 2:01 left on the clock. Funderburk added two free throws making the score 62-59 before Nick Honor tied the game at 62 all with a three with 38 seconds remaining. Daniels gave the ball back to Clemson with a costly turnover with just over 20 seconds left. Moore then came up with the huge defensive play blocking Honor’s game winning attempt sending the game to overtime.
In the extra stanza, the lead switched hands with both teams gaining one point leads before Clemson went ahead 70-67 after back to back Wolfpack turnovers. With 1:16 left in overtime, Moore split a pair of free throws before Nick Honor converted a floater in the paint to put the Tigers ahead 72-68 briefly before Daniles added two free throws making the score 72-70 in favor of the Tigers with 40 seconds left.
DJ Hall converted a hook shot putting the Tigers ahead by four once again with under 12 seconds remaining in overtime. Daniels missed a corner three ending all chances for a comeback allowing Clemson to escape with a four point overtime victory.
NC State returns to action Saturday, January 9 as they host Miami. Tipoff is slated for 12 pm. Clemson travels to Chapel Hill to face UNC Saturday for a 7 pm contest.