Redshirt junior Brandon Costner scored the first two points of the game and the Wolfpack didn’t look back, cruising to a 74-48 victory over Winthrop. Ben McCauley and Tracy Smith led the Pack with 15 and 13 points respectively. McCauley also grabbed 11 rebounds, recording his 7th career double-double.

“We really focused in on this game. Winthrop is a good team and I think they are going to do well,” McCauley said. “We wanted to come out and make sure that we sent a message early that we were here for business and we were going to do whatever it took to win.”

For the second straight game, redshirt junior Farnold Degand did not play with tendonitis that has continued to bother him. Coach Sidney Lowe hopes he will be back in the next few games.

“He has had about five days without pain,” Lowe said. “So, we’re hoping that when we come back to practice after the holiday that he’ll be ready to do something.”

State had a great showing from its players off the bench, outscoring Winthrop’s substitutes 32-13. Tracy Smith and Trevor Ferguson led the scoring attack from the bench.

“The guys coming off the bench were ready to go this game,” senior Courtney Fells said. “Coach emphasized that [they play a key role] and they did a great job producing for us tonight.”

The defense held the Eagles to just 48 points and 28.6 percent from the field. McCauley said defense was something coach Lowe has been focusing on in the off-season and that players take it personally if their man scores on them.

“I thought our defense was good for the most part,” Fells said. “We were able to get stops, get rebounds and get out and run to increase the lead. I think we did a great job overall as a team.”

The Pack will be in action again Sunday against UNC-Greensboro at 2 p.m.