When freshman forward Dennis Horner’s three-pointer went through the net at the end of the first half, it capped off a 5-0 run and pulled N.C. State within two.
But unfortunately for the Wolfpack — minus a few runs early in the half — the majority of the second 20 minutes of the game belonged to Maryland.
“We put a good effort together for about 30 minutes,” junior forward Gavin Grant said. “But the game is 40 minutes long.”
In the second half, the Terrapins shot 62.5 percent from the field and outscored State by 13 while cruising to an 85-70 victory. Maryland’s guards combined to score 25 of the team’s 46 second-half points and with their penetration, created offensive opportunities for others.
“In the second half we didn’t execute the way we should have on either end,” coach Sidney Lowe said. “More importantly than anything, we didn’t defend. Our perimeter, our guards, really got beat off the dribble all night long.”
Perimeter defense has plagued State at times this season — most notable in home losses to Duke and Virginia — but in recent wins over Virginia Tech and North Carolina, defense at the guard positions had been more effective.
Lowe attributed the defense in those games to a noticeably higher energy level.
“We were energetic. We were getting stops,” the first-year coach said. “And you saw five guys out there playing and defending. We really defended well.”
But since the upset over the Tarheels, the defense has not been there, which is something Grant said could just be a lack of passion.
“I guess it’s an intensity thing,” Grant said. “I thought we came out pretty bad to start the game — we had no energy at all. The coaches emphasize energy, and we just don’t have any.”
With the loss, State has dropped three straight games and now stands at 13-11 overall and just 3-8 in the league — a far cry from the positive vibe that surrounded the team just a week and a half ago.
“It’s tough to lose a game, let alone three in a row,” sophomore forward Ben McCauley said. “It’s definitely tough on our mindset.”
As for whether or not this team has worn down over the course of the season due to its lack of depth, Lowe would not concede that it had.
“I don’t think we’re running out of gas,” he said.
After the game Lowe did spend a long time with his team talking mainly about dedication and effort.
“[We just talked] about what it takes to win and how you have to be dedicated to doing that,” he said. “And that means you’ve got to work your tail off.”
Atsur admitted, though, that playing so thin throughout a grueling ACC schedule has taken its toll and could be a factor in this recent swoon.
“Obviously we’re not too deep,” he said. “But it’s going to be tough. We’re going to do the best we can, but it’s hard to do with six or seven guys.”
For Atsur it was his sixth game back since his hamstring injury and after playing 35 minutes, he said it felt the best it had since the injury.
“It feels a little better,” Atsur said. “I’m still working on it, but when I do too much I still feel it. It’s going to get better in time, hopefully.”
But with Atsur’s improving health, State suffered an injury to sophomore guard Courtney Fells who aggravated a previously injured tailbone. Fells left the game and later returned. But after experiencing pain while going up for a rebound was forced to leave the game for good.
State will host Virginia Tech on Sunday — a team who knocked off North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Tuesday.