Marcus Hill scored 19 points as host North Carolina State pulled away from visiting William & Mary to win 81-59 on Friday night in Raleigh, N.C.
Hill shot 7-of-13 from the floor and also had four rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win. NC State (5-0) also got 12 points from Jayden Taylor and Dontrez Styles, as well as10 points and nine rebounds from Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. Off the bench, Ben Middlebrooks added a stat-stuffing effort of 11 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three assists.
For the Tribe (3-4), Noah Collier scored a game-high 25 points while Gabe Dorsey added 13 points and four rebounds.
The Tribe jumped out to a four-point lead early on following a sequence where Collier threw down a dunk, Dorsey swished a 3-pointer, and then Collier tipped back in one of his teammate’s missed layups. NC State quickly rallied though, breaking off a 20-3 run, capped off by Huntley-Hatfield knocking down a shot from outside the arc and then dunking on the next possession.
NC State led by as much as 25 points.
Leading by 19 entering the second half, the Wolfpack saw their advantage shrink to just seven points with 5:29 to play after an 18-6 run by William & Mary. NC State answered again though, closing the game on a 22-6 run — a stretch that featured a highlight-worthy two-handed dunk in transition and smooth 3-pointer from Styles, who finished with nine points.
NC State forced the Tribe into 21 turnovers and created 29 points off those extra possessions. The Wolfpack also outscored William & Mary 36-9 on fast breaks and 46-28 in the paint.
Next up for undefeated NC State — which has yet to face a power conference opponent this season — is a Final Four rematch with No. 6 Purdue on Thanksgiving in San Diego.
–Field Level Media
Golden State coach Steve Kerr left the door open for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to return to the lineup Friday in San Francisco when the Warriors take on the…
The San Antonio Spurs hope to have superstar Victor Wembanyama back in the fold as they try to snap a two-game losing streak while hosting the Sacramento Kings on Friday….
Cutting down on turnovers will be vital for the visiting Indiana Pacers if they are to snap their four-game losing streak at the expense of the Chicago Bulls on Friday….
Spurs unsure if Victor Wembanyama will return to face Kings
Pacers attempt to cut back on mistakes against Bulls
NBA roundup: Cavs beat Nuggets despite Nikola Jokic’s big night
Warriors extend dominance over Rockets to 15 games