N.C . State defeated Boston College, 76-62, at the RBC Center to increase the tally to two conference wins in a row for the Pack.
The Eagles, (7-11, 2-2 ACC) who were coming into the game on a two-game winning streak, had no answer for the Pack (14-5, 3-1 ACC), who dominated the entire game to move within one win of last year’s total.
With sophomore forward C.J . Leslie back in the line up, after not starting the last game due to disciplinary issues, State started the game on the back foot with the Eagles opening the scoring. However, it was Leslie who opened the scoring for the Pack as State went on an early 10-0 run with the score 15-5 with 14:29 left in the first half.
The Eagles, who had won the last time the two teams met, were not intimidated by a loud Wolfpack crowd, as they tied the ball game at 21 a piece with 8:42 to go in the first. That, however, proved to be the wakeup call the Pack desperately needed as they ran through the Eagles, ending the half on a 24-7 run.
Leslie, who shot 100 percent from the field for 10 points, ran the show along with junior center Richard Howell and fellow sophomore guard Lorenzo Brown, who each had nine points.
The second half was no different, with Howell opening the scoring followed by two quick field goals by senior guard C.J . Williams as the Pack stretched their lead to 23 points, their highest of the game.
Junior guard Scott Wood, who led the league in three-point shooting coming into the game, again showed his prowess from behind the arc, shooting 4-7 to end the night with a team-leading 16 points.
With the win a mere formality, head coach Mark Gottfried brought in the freshman trio of Jaqawn Raymond, Thomas de Thaey and Tyler Harris, with the latter two ending the night with two points and two rebounds each.
Gottfried felt his team’s improved performance on defense set the tone for the entire game.
“I liked a lot about how our team played tonight, defensively,” Gottfried said. “I thought our ball pressure was better than it’s been in a while and it disrupted their timing.
“We tried to really disrupt them from getting a lot of clean looks.”
Gottfried felt the team’s positive performance on the break led to success offensively.
“When we had the ball in the break, a lot of good things happened tonight,” Gottfried said. “We found opportunities, a lot of deflections, steals; it really ignited our fast break, which I thought tonight was really big for our team.”
Despite being under pressure to repeat the performance the team put up against Wake Forest last week, Gottfried said he told his team to concentrate on their own performance rather than worrying about their opponents.
“I always tell our guys, I am concerned with us and how we play and how hard we play and if we are playing to our potential each night,” Gottfried said. “I thought we had great energy tonight at both ends of the floor. Right now we are doing some things well and hopefully we can continue that.”
Gottfried played a glowing tribute to Brown, who finished the night with 11 assists, nine points and three steals.
“Lorenzo was terrific again,” Gottfried said. “Those are starting to become normal nights when the guy is getting nine and 12 and 10 assists. He played really well.”
Richard Howell, who had his sixth double-double in the last eight games and ended the night with 16 rebounds, drew praise from Boston College head coach Steve Donahue.
“He’s a big, strong kid and I give him the credit,” Donahue said. “That’s what [rebounding] he does well in this league right now. He’s a tough kid. He’s a hard match-up for anyone, particularly for us.
He’s a very good offensive rebounder and a very good defensive rebounder.”
N.C . State next takes to the court against Miami on the road Jan. 22.
