The game was closer than the score, but the losing streak extends to 5
Game Summary:
Well that first half was fun!! Duke led 2-0, then Styles hit a 3PT and NC State led the rest of the half including building a 13-point lead (35-22) with 4:30 left in the half. But the same story we’ve seen repeatedly happened, the Wolfpack went cold and only scored 2 more points in the half while Duke scored 11. As we have seen in previous first halves, the shooting percentages looked really good, 48.4% / 58.3%. We hit a crazy 7-12 from 3PT. We did not get to the free throw line. Halftime score 37-33. That’s the only time Duke has trailed at the half at home this season.
Duke finished the first half on a 7-0 run and continued with a 12-0 run before Trey Parker hit a jumper at the 13:44 mark. The Wolfpack got to within 1 at 62-63 at the 4:40 mark, but very much like the first half, NC State only scored 1 more point while Duke scored 11. Trey Parker was the story of the second half. He played 15 minutes and scored 10 points. The Wolfpack out shot Duke 40.7% to 39% in field goals, and 45.5% to 20% from 3PT. The major scoring difference was Duke scored 24 points from the free throw line to NC State’s 6. Final scored 74-64 Duke.
Overall Takeaways:
- The Pack played the #2 team in the country a very tight game, but once again, went cold offensively in the last five minutes of each half.
- NC State was only trailing 18-21 in rebounds at the first half, but Duke adjusted and won by 15
- Duke is the #1 defensive team in the ACC but the Wolfpack had one of our better shooting games, shooting 40.7% / 45.5% that including making 10 3PT shots
- The Wolfpack had an excellent 15 assists on 24 made baskets (62.5%). (10 assists in the first half) One our best of the season
- The freshmen are starting to shine. McNeil had an excellent game Saturday, and Trey Parker was one of the best Wolfpack players against Duke
Keatts Comments
Individual Highlights
- Dontrez Styles played the game we’ve been waiting for, with his second most points of the season with 18 and his most blocked shots
- Marcus Hill struggled with his shot, he was 1-10, but led the team in rebounding with 6
- Paul McNeil was only in the game 8 minutes and missed his 2 3PT attempts, but had 3 assists, tied for the best on the team
- Ben Middlebrooks couldn’t get it going offensively, but delivered 3 rebounds and 3 assists
- Trey Parker was outstanding tonight, his best game in the red and white. He brought energy when the team needed it. His 15 points was a career high. He was 6-9 overall, and 3-4 from 3PT.