Alex Zachman
Graduate guard Allerick Freeman goes up for a three point shot against the Jacksonville University Dolphins for a 116-64 win at PNC Arena on Friday, Dec. 22. Freeman led the team with 25 points and the Pack set a record for threes with 19 and points scored.
On Star Wars night at PNC Arena, the Force was with the NC State men’s basketball team. The Wolfpack took full advantage of its final tune-up game before ACC play, beating Jacksonville University 116-64 Friday night.
It was all hands on deck for the Wolfpack (10-3) for its highest point total at PNC Arena in the victory over the Dolphins (4-10), with six players hitting double figures. The Pack connected on 58 percent of its shots from the field and 50 from beyond the arc with its balanced attack, led by graduate guard Allerik Freeman, who led all players with 25 points, shooting 7 of 11 from beyond the arc.
“I’m very proud of our guys’ effort tonight,” head coach Kevin Keatts said. “I thought this was the best game that we played as a team. … We really shared the basketball. We made open shots. When you look at it, 19 3-pointers. … Those guys did a tremendous job. All nine guys that played played with great passion and great energy. I was excited about it. It’s a great game to go into Christmas Break.”
Freeman’s fellow graduate guard, Sam Hunt, put in a strong game as well, with 20 points, including 3-pointers for his highest output with the Wolfpack. Junior guard Torin Dorn joined the fun with 16 points, shooting 6 of 8 from the field.
“It felt good,” Hunt said. “Lavar Batts and Braxton Beverly, they found me. Our big guys … I got a kick out. It was good to see it go in the rim. They found me and I was able to knock down shots.”
NC State’s defense also came to play, as the Pack forced 19 turnovers and held Jacksonville to 42 percent from the field, helping to key NC State’s offensive attack.
“We’re getting out in transition,” Al Freeman said. “To do that, we have to get stops. Tonight we played defense really well. We trusted each other on the defensive end. We had each other’s back; we were communicating.”
Freshman guard Braxton Beverly helped fuel the Pack’s strong transition game with 15 points, 11 assists and three steals, as NC State scored 28 points off turnovers.
“That’s one thing we want to focus a little more on,” Beverly said. “Getting out and running. It’s what we’re trying to base our team around. We want to make sure we’re getting out and running, making things happen in open court.”
NC State got it done inside as well, with a productive game from its bigs. Sophomore center Omer Yurtseven led the way with 13 points and nine rebounds, joined by senior forward Abdul-Malik Abu with 11 points and nine rebounds.
With NC State’s non-conference schedule wrapped up, the Pack now gets eight days off before returning to action in the ACC. The Wolfpack knows it will be facing a completely different animal when conference play rolls around.
“We’re excited about it,” Al Freeman said. “That’s what we all dream of as little kids. Playing in the best conference. That’s why I transferred here.”
The Pack will begin ACC play Dec. 30 with a trip south to take on Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum with a 4 p.m. tip-off.