Tech’s Men’s Basketball team went up to Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday to get their first ACC road victory over the N.C. State Wolfpack, 77-74. The win moves the Jackets back to an even 9-9 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
Senior point guard Matt Causey was able to build on his momentum from his strong showing in the game against Virginia Tech to lead the Jackets with 18 points. It was his second highest single-game point total in his career. He had set the career mark last Sunday with 30 points.
Tech came out of the gate firing, opening with a 7-0 lead over the Wolfpack. From there on the game was a back-and-forth battle, trading leads until the very end of the game.
While the Jackets outplayed the Wolfpack for much of the first half, N.C. State was able to tie the game for the first time at 25 with 7:30 to play in the half. The teams went into halftime tied at 34. The game was tied up four times and there were six different lead changes before the final buzzer.
Tech’s offense launched a new style offensive attack on N.C. State. Tech shot just under 60 percent from the field, three percent higher than their average coming into the Wednesday game. Tech also saw improvements from the free-throw line, shooting 75 percent.
Anthony Marrow led the Jackets at the charity stripe going 4-4. All four came in the closing minutes of the game, giving Tech the lead it needed to secure the victory.
Tech’s perimeter defense also built off their strong game against Virginia Tech, holding the Wolfpack to under 28 percent from behind the ark. D’Andre Bell contributed 34 minutes on the court, which helped aid the Jackets on the defensive side of the court.
Gani Lawal picked up 13 points and all five of Tech’s blocked shots. The Jackets’ bench has also started to develop, adding 30 points as well as 10 of Tech’s 22 rebounds.
N.C. State came into the game on Wednesday fresh off their first ACC victory over number No. 24 Miami, their second win over a top 25 team.
N.C. State’s offense gave some trouble for Tech. Junior Guard Courtney Fells scored 23 points, over double his scoring average for the season. Georgia native J.J Hickson, N.C. State’s starting freshman center, also contributed 16 points.
Tech goes back on the road, looking to extend their winning streak. They first travel to Charlottesville, Va. to take on the Virginia on Sunday. The game tips off at 4:30 p.m.
The next home game for the Jackets comes on Feb. 2, when they take on the Maryland Terrapins. Tip off for that game is set for noon.