After recognizing seniors from the basketball team, forward Kendall Smith, guard Alex Johnson, who is a graduate student, as well as guard C.J. Williams, the game was under way. After Miami won the tip-off, a missed bucket by the Canes would set up an easy basket for junior forward Richard Howell. After trading turnovers, a three from junior guard Scott Wood as well as a sophomore forward C.J. Leslie would put fans on their feet and bring the crowd into the game.
“Well, I am really proud of our team,” Head Coach Mark Gottfried said. “We are not dead yet. We still have a pulse. We have had some tough nights and our team could have folded, but we have showed some resiliency, along with character and toughness and I like that”
The Wolfpack would open the match-up with a 10-4 run, showing much better defensive play compared to the last few games. After both N.C. State and Miami traded a couple baskets, the Pack would continue to stay ahead as they found a way to shut down the rebounding threat from the Canes.
After battling back and forth, the Hurricanes would eventually tie the game with 9:24 remaining in the half with a score of 18-18. As the clock winded down, not even a minute later, Miami would see its first lead of the game with 8:43 remaining. A Wood three would keep the team alive and give State the lead back.
Eventually, the Canes would make their way within one with 4:44 remaining in the half. State would go cold from the field as Miami jumped to a four-point lead. The Pack closed out the half with a bucket, putting the State down by two heading into the locker room with a score of 36-34 in Miami’s favor.
Sophomore guard Lorenzo Brown would then open the half with a floater, tying the game once again. The Canes would then find some rhythm, both scoring baskets and forcing turnovers by State. A traditional three point play by Leslie would give his team a spark, giving the Pack a 7-0 run off an alley-oop from Brown. Miami had seen enough, resulting in an early timeout. As a result of the run, State would see their first lead of the half with 15:26 remaining in the game.
State would continue dominating the boards, not allowing for any second chance buckets by Miami. After another Wood three, the Pack would see their lead up to six points. A few missed free throws by Howell would keep the Hurricanes close. After a Johnson three, the Wolfpack would see their largest lead of the game thus far, going ahead of Miami by eight points.
The Canes would answer with a 5-0 run of their own, cutting the lead to three points with 7:53 remaining. State would slow their pace, setting the way for Brown to drive down the lane for an easy score. A three by Miami would cut State’s lead to one. A couple baskets by both Brown and Howell would then give the Pack a little breathing room as they would attain a five point lead before an official’s timeout with 3:21 left in the game.
After four straight free-throws made by Miami, State would see their lead trimmed to three points. After arguably a bad call, Head Coach Mark Gottfried would shed his jacket as the Canes would come within one point as the game reached the two-minute mark.
After a Miami three, the game would be tied yet again. Wood would get the three he was looking for, giving State the lead back. Miami would revert to desperation fouls, putting Johnson on the line. Johnson would hit both shots, only to foul a Hurricane player, putting Miami on the line.
Eventually, the horn would sound after both Brown and Leslie would hit clutch free throws, giving State the win with a final score of 77-73.
“The fact that we have not quite [died] just shows we still have a little fight in us and that is what’s so good about our team,” Gottfried said.
