Billikens devastate Pack

N.C. State saw its 16-point lead over Saint Louis evaporate over the final eight minutes of regulation as the Wolfpack lost in overtime to the Billikens, 83-80, eliminating State from the NCAA Tournament in the second round for the second straight season.

“Our players are heartbroken, and I’m proud of them,” head coach Mark Gottfried said. “I’m proud of the year we had. Today obviously we’re going to always feel like we let one slip away.”

The Pack was dismal from the stripe Thursday night against the Billikens, going 20-of-37 (54 percent) on the night. State missed 10 of its 18 free throws over the final three minutes of regulation. 

Sophomore forward T.J. Warren had 28 points and eight rebounds against Saint Louis, but went 6-of-14 from the free throw line. 

Sophomore guard Tyler Lewis was uncharacteristically loose with the ball against the Billikens. Lewis had seven turnovers, but also gave the Pack eight points and six assists on an up-and-down night. Junior guard Ralston Turner also had a solid game for the Pack, scoring 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting.

The Billikens got off to a hot start thanks to senior forward Rob Lowe. Lowe, who finished the night with 22 points and 15 rebounds, hit three straight from 3-point land to give Saint Louis an early lead.

But State responded immediately, going on an 11-2 run to take the lead. The Billikens went on a 7-0 run to end the first half and shot 71 percent (5-of-7) from deep in the first 20 minutes, but State went into halftime holding on to a 30-26 advantage. 

The Wolfpack ran out to a 55-39 lead with 8:14 remaining, but then the madness began as the Billikens began their furious comeback. Saint Louis’ employed a suffocating full-court press on defense that gave the Wolfpack offense fits, causing numerous turnovers and forcing the Pack to the free throw line.

“They were pressuring the wings and we couldn’t get into our offense,” Lewis said.

This strategy proved very effective for the Billikens, which capitalized on the Pack’s miserable night from the charity stripe to methodically chip away at State’s lead. 

With 30 seconds left on the clock, senior guard Jordair Jett tied the game for Saint Louis with a layup-and-one, but missed his free throw, giving State one final chance to win the game with the score tied at 70. 

After receiving the inbounds pass, Lewis tried to find Warren, but the Billikens’ defense surrounded the reigning ACC Player of the Year, forcing Lewis to take the final shot. Lewis pulled up at the elbow for an open look, but his shot rimmed out as the clock hit zero, sending the game into overtime.

Saint Louis grabbed an early lead in the extra period, a lead that it never gave up.

With the Pack down by five points, a layup by Lee cut the Billikens’ advantage to three points. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Warren grabbed the steal and made a layup, earning an opportunity to complete the and-one play. 

But Warren’s ensuing free throw clanged off the front of the rim, and the Billikens held a one-point lead with 30 seconds remaining.

Warren fouled out moments later, leaving State without its leading scorer for the game’s final 28 seconds. Saint Louis missed two free throws on its ensuing possessions, giving State one last chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer in the closing seconds. 

Turner got a semi-contested look from three feet beyond the 3-point line, but his shot clanged off the front of the rim as the clock struck zero.

“We just have to take the positive from it,” Lewis said. “No one expected us to make the NCAA Tournament, and we proved everyone wrong and hopefully next year we can come out and do the same thing, plus more.”