In a game that gave flashbacks to Wednesday’s thrilling quadruple overtime win over Nebraska, the NC State Wolfpack couldn’t close out in the end allowing a 9-0 Louisville run to end the game while going 1-11 down the stretch aiding to a 73-68 loss in the ACC opener for both teams.
The Wolfpack (6-2, 0-1 ACC) opened the game on a quick 5-0 run with baskets from Dereon Seabron and Cam Hayes. Neither offense got much more after that as the score was 5-3 at the under 16-minute media timeout.
Hayes left the game after picking up his second foul with 12:13 remaining in the half with NC State trailing 14-10 at the next timeout. Louisville (6-2, 1-0 ACC) found a glitch in the Wolfpack defense connecting on four straight field goals to go ahead 25-20 with 5:38 left in the first half.
The Cards remained hot from beyond the arc as back-to-back three-point baskets blew the Louisville lead open to 14 forcing a Kevin Keatts timeout with just over two minutes left before halftime. Not much came from the pep talk as the Louisville lead stayed at the same margin 43-29 at the break.
NC State came out of the locker room with a sense of urgency slicing their deficit to 10 at the first media timeout of the second half. After the break, the Wolfpack trimmed the Cards 10 point lead to three with baskets from Terquavion Smith, Cole Hellems, and a three-point play from Hayes making the score 45-43 with 14:19 remaining. Things remained close through the next few trips down the floor with Louisville leading 52-48 at the 11:31 media timeout.
A 5-0 run put NC State ahead 53-52 with a basket inside from Dowuona. The Wolfpack stronghold continued pushing their lead up to 59-54 with a Seabron basket inside with 7:52 left in the game. The score stayed tight down the straight with Louisville tying the game at 68-68 with 1:30 left in regulation.
Chris Mack called timeout with 30.3 left in the game and two seconds left on the shot clock and drew up the perfect play as Cross hit a corner three to put the Cards ahead 71-68. On the Wolfpack’s next offensive possession, a Hayes three was off the mark. Louisville iced the game at the line with two free throws coming away with the road ACC win.
Lousiville finished the contest shooting 42% from the floor including 39% from beyond the arc which was 10% over their season average. The Cards dominated the rebound edged 46-30 while also receiving a big boost from their bench with 28 points compared to zero for the Wolfpack.
Hellems led all scorers with 18 points while Smith followed with 17 points in his first ACC game. Hayes followed with 15 while Seabron was held to just 11 points after his record-breaking performance Wednesday night. Five different Louisville players finished in double figures for the day.
NC State returns to action Thursday, December 9 as they host Bethune Cookman in Reynolds Coliseum. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m.
