Nick Faulkner
Freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr brings the ball through the Tennessee defense during the 67-55 overtime win in Reynolds Coliseum on Dec. 10, 2016.
The NC State men’s basketball team annihilated the McNeese State Cowboys 89-57 Thursday night, picking up its fifth-consecutive victory.
The Wolfpack (10-2) moved the ball exceptionally well, making 32 baskets on 18 assists for the night. NC State started off hot, as it held a 28-12 advantage 10 minutes into the game and never seemed to look back.
Freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr. gave the Cowboys (3-8) fits in the first half with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and had a handful of nice plays on the defensive end. Smith Jr. also showed off his range for a second-straight game, hitting four of his five three-point attempts on the night. The floor general finished the contest with 23 points, six assists and three rebounds while logging just 20 minutes.
“I wouldn’t say I’m looking for it more, it’s just falling more, so I’m going to take more,” Smith Jr. said of his 3-point shot. “I put a lot of work into it before and after practice all the time; I’m just going to keep putting work in and getting better each day.”
Sophomore guard Maverick Rowan also found his shooting stroke in his fourth game back from a concussion, and finally looked like himself. Rowan finished second in scoring for the Wolfpack with 15 points, and knocked down three 3-pointers on the night. The marksman, finally wearing off the early-season rust, was a pleasant surprise for NC State, as he totaled 81 made three-pointers last season on his way to setting a new school freshman record.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Rowan said. “I’ve been putting in a lot of hours at the gym, and I just feel good about it. “My teammates around me are just helping me feel more comfortable in what I’m doing and I’m just happy about that.”
However, the biggest surprise was the Pack’s monster effort on the offensive glass. The team has struggled in the rebounding department so far this season, but seemed to have turned a corner with a season-high 18 offensive rebounds for the game. NC State dominated the backboards all night, out-rebounding the Cowboys 55-27. This advantage was in large part due to the production of freshman center Omer Yurtseven and freshman forward Ted Kapita, who combined for 16 boards.
“Our rebounding was really good tonight,” head coach Mark Gottfried said. “I thought the key to tonight was probably the start of the game. Your biggest concern right before Christmas is that guys have their minds on being with their families and getting out. We talked to our team about being mentally prepared to play, and I thought we came out early and seemed really locked in, which was great.”
NC State began the second half of play outscoring McNeese 26-11, and led by a 77-39 margin with a little over 11 minutes left in the game. Smith Jr. and senior guard Terry Henderson both made all of their shots during the run, combining for 13 points.
However, the Pack took its foot off the gas, as it subbed in players at the end of its rotation. McNeese State went on a tear, scoring 11 straight points. Sophomore guard Torin Dorn’s jumper finally broke the cold streak with around six minutes left to play. The do-it-all guard quietly tallied 11 points and three rebounds for the contest.
The story of the game was the play of the bench, as it totaled 35 points. The most notable scorers off the bench were fan-favorite walk-ons senior guard Chris Corchiani Jr. and freshman forward Tucker Thompson, who combined for six points.
“It’s exciting man,” Smith Jr. said. “They cheer us on all the time knowing that they might not play each game. Whenever they go in, we give them all the support that they need and more.”
The Pack begins its Christmas break on a high note, and will finish its non-conference schedule against Rider at home Dec. 28.