NC State men’s basketball earned a hard-fought 89-83 win over the Louisville Cardinals in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday afternoon.
After a disappointing performance against UNC-Chapel Hill where it only shot 26% from the field, NC State (12-4, 4-1 ACC) bounced back as it put together a strong offensive performance, shooting 54%. There were moments throughout the contest where it seemed as if the Pack was in firm control of the game. However, Louisville (6-10, 1-4 ACC) continued to find ways to claw back into it, evidencing how difficult it is to win an ACC road game.
As the action commenced, both teams struggled to put together much success offensively, combining for four total turnovers just two minutes into the game. Despite an early and-one layup to put the Pack up 3-0, the team was not finding much success.
However, the Wolfpack quickly grabbed momentum as it continued to assert a strong defensive presence against the Cardinals and keep them scoreless. In the meantime, NC State found some consistency on offense as it put together an early 12-0 run, which included a 3-pointer from graduate guard Michael O’Connell.
Despite the strong start, the Wolfpack fell back down to earth as the Cardinals finally got on the board after over four minutes of going scoreless. For nearly three minutes the Pack did not hit a field goal as Louisville cut the deficit to 14-7. However, in the next two NC State offensive possessions, graduate guard DJ Horne gave some life to the Pack once more as he nailed five points which included his first of four 3-pointers in the first half.
Leading 19-9, Horne’s contributions seemed to breathe life into NC State at the right time as the Cardinals were catching steam, making five of their last seven shots. The Pack’s defensive presence continued as graduate guard Casey Morsell forced a steal and proceeded to put it in to give the Pack a ten-point lead.
After gaining a sizable lead, the Pack once again fell silent as it suffered a four minute scoring drought which included three turnovers as Louisville closed the gap at 31-25. A tricky hookshot from junior forward Ben Middlebrooks helped put an end to this as the Pack finally got back into the game. Soon after, another layup from Middlebrooks and two 3’s from Horne helped put the lead back at 41-28.
Again, Louisville found a way to climb back into the game as the Pack did not make a shot from the field for nearly the last two minutes of the half which allowed them to narrow the score at 44-35. Despite committing nine first half turnovers, the Pack went to the locker room with nearly a ten-point lead.
The start to the second half was not kind to NC State. In the first four minutes, the red-and-white only managed two points and committed two more turnovers. This allowed a perfect opportunity for Louisville as it went on a 9-0 run to cut the score to 46-44. This kickstarted a high-octane second half as the teams traded blows. The Pack finally responded as Morsell nailed a tough jumper.
Everything finally culminated when the Cardinals got their first lead of the game from a 3-pointer from Curtis Williams who was effective behind the arc with a total of four triples. However, the Pack did not remain behind very long, as a 3 from O’Connell helped put the Pack back up 57-55. He finished a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc on the afternoon.
With the game clock nearing ten minutes, Louisville shot a staggering 61% and it was obvious the Pack was going to need to dig deep. Up until this point, Horne had been silent since halftime, however he reemerged with a clutch triple to put the Pack back up three. With help from both Burns and O’Connell, the Wolfpack continued to hold a narrow lead. Burns also had a strong day as he finished with 13 points. Horne remained instrumental as the Pack put together a 7-0 run which included five points from him in just one minute.
The Cardinals had only made one shot from the field in nearly four minutes while the Pack had compiled a 18-7 run. While perhaps many Louisville fans were leaving for the exits, the game had yet another twist.
Louisville responded with a huge three which was its first shot from deep in seven minutes. This provided a springboard for a late game effort in which NC State turnovers and poor shot selection allowed Louisville to go on an 11-0 run to put the game at 83-80 in the game’s final minute. In need of a quick answer, the Pack once again turned to Horne who scored a timely and-one layup which put the Pack up six. Despite another late 3, NC State escaped with an 89-83 win.
Despite the Pack’s successful shooting, a troubling 15 turnovers and defensive breakdowns allowed Louisville to keep the game close and allow the game’s outcome to be in the air for most of the game. However, the team rode Horne, who churned out a season-high 27 points, including a season-high six 3-pointers.
The Pack will be back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 16 as it takes on Wake Forest. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network.
