Sophomore forward T.J. Warren scored 12 of N.C. State’s first 16 points to help the Wolfpack dominate Northwestern 69-48 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday night at PNC Arena.

Warren finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals in a well-rounded performance, looking every bit like a preseason All-American. Warren said that his teammates have been telling him to assert himself early in games.

“Everybody’s been telling me I have to bring it in the first half,” Warren said. “I just wanted to come out of the gate and be aggressive and make plays around the basket.”

Warren stole the show early, but senior center Jordan Vandenberg quickly joined him in the spotlight. Vandenberg had five blocks, coupled with 12 points and used his size to alter numerous shots in the paint.

Vandenberg helped the Wolfpack’s defense hold Northwestern to 25 percent shooting throughout the game. Head coach Mark Gottfried said he was impressed with his team’s defensive effort against the Wildcats.

“I really liked out defense tonight,” Gottfried said. “What stood out to me was how our young players did a pretty good job paying attention to detail in practice in the last couple of days … I thought our guys did a nice job taking their three-point shots away.”

Gottfried said Vandenberg has helped the Wolfpack immensely on defense since his return from an ankle injury suffered in the preseason.

“I think he’s protected the rim pretty well so far,” Gottfried said. “He’s altering shots, he’s blocking a few and I think our guys are gaining confidence in him as well. I think we’re a much different team when he plays well for us.”

Freshman forward Lennard Freeman recorded his first career double-double as a member of the Wolfpack, racking up 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Wildcats. Freeman used his toughness to dominate the boards, reminding many Wolfpack fans of former State forward Richard Howell, a comparison Freeman said that he’s used to.

“I’ve been getting that [comparison] since high school, people saying ‘you’re going to be the next Richard Howell,’” Freeman said. “But that’s not enough for me. I can see the similarities though.”

Gottfried said Freeman’s biggest asset is his versatility.

“I’m excited for Lennard because he’s such a young guy that’s excited to play,” Gottfried said. “He plays hard, blocks shots, gets rebounds, gets a couple of dunks and plays with energy. He can also go out on the floor and guard their stretch forward who can make three-pointers. He can get out on the perimeter and move his feet to contain the guy, so he’s doing a nice job for us right now.”

The Wolfpack tried to establish itself early in the game and run it’s high tempo, end-to-end offense. But the Wildcats countered with their own half-court offense, trying to slow the game down as much as possible to stifle State’s offense.

Northwestern’s slow-paced strategy didn’t affect Warren. The 6-foot-8 sophomore put his mark on the game early, highlighted by numerous tip-ins and a step-back jumper on the baseline.

Warren helped the Pack outscore Northwestern 20-0 in the paint in the first half to help send the Pack into halftime with a 31-20 lead.

State came blazing out of gates to start the second half, hitting an 11-3 run to stretch its lead to 19 points. Freeman brought the Wolfpack faithful to its feet early in the second half with a monstrous block and some nice finishes around the rim.

The Wildcats were never able to pull within reach of the Pack as State’s defense held Northwestern’s offense in check to send the Pack home with its third straight victory.