North Carolina State University Athletics
Tech Tops NC State, 66-63
2/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Tony Haynes
ATLANTA (February 24, 2000) -- Another heartbreaking chapter was added to NC State's fading basketball season Thursday night in Atlanta. Georgia Tech (12-14, 4-9 ACC), which trailed by as many as 13-points early on the second half, went on a 27-6 run to build an eight point lead and then held on to post a 66-63 victory over the Pack.
The loss all but ended NC State's hopes of landing an at large bid into the NCAA Tournament. More than likely, the Wolfpack (15-10, 5-9 ACC) will now need to win the ACC Tournament to make its first appearance in the NCAA's since 1991.
"It was a hard fought game and a very difficult game for us to lose right now," said NC State coach Herb Sendek. "Our players are totally expended and put their heart into the game."
Indeed the Wolfpack showed plenty of heart, but couldn't overcome its lack of execution during Georgia Tech's decisive second half run.
After leading by eight at the half, NC State pushed its advantage out to 40-27 when forward Damon Thornton scored on a layup with 17:32 left.
That's when the momentum suddenly changed. Over the next ten minutes, the Pack would score only one field goal and would turn the ball over twelve times. And Tech took full advantage. A Jason Collier layup at the 11:24 mark ended a 14-3 run to pull the Jackets within two at 43-41.
Less than two minutes later, Georgia Tech would grab its first lead of the second half on an Alvin Jones dunk.
Two Jones free throws gave Tech its biggest lead at 54-46 with 8:15 remaining.
But just when it appeared that NC State was about to totally lose control, Anthony Grundy took over. The sophomore guard scored ten straight points including a three-pointer with 6:05 left to give the Wolfpack a 56-54 edge.
It was nip and tuck the rest of the way.
A Collier free throw with 38 seconds showing on the clock put Tech up by two. But when Collier missed his second toss, Justin Gainey chased down the rebound and found Grundy streaking towards the basket at the other end. Grundy completed the drive with a spectacular lay in and also drew a foul on Collier.
After a Georgia Tech timeout, Grundy missed an opportunity to give the Pack a one-point lead when he missed the free throw.
With the clock winding down and the Yellow Jackets looking to take the last shot, Grundy was called for a reach in foul on Tech guard Shaun Fein. Fein made the first but missed the second. When State's Thornton couldn't handle the rebound; a diving Alvin Jones batted the ball back out to Fein who was fouled again with nine seconds left.
This time, Fein made both free throws to put Tech up 66-63.
Ron Kelley's desperation attempt at a game-tying three on the other end bounced hard off the board at the buzzer. Just like that, NC State's losing streak had reached six straight games.
"I guess I should have resigned earlier," joked Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins, who last Friday, announced that he would be stepping down at season's end. "We started out, got in a hole and I was nervous. I thought it could be blowout city. But then we took control of the game. It was unbelievable."
Collier led the Yellow Jackets with 22-points. Jones, who was shutout in the first half, scored all ten of his points after intermission. Fein also had ten for Tech.
Grundy hit 11 of 16 shots and finished with 29 for NC State. He was the only Wolfpack player in double-figures. Gainey added nine points and four assists.
The Wolfpack shot 44 percent from the floor while Georgia Tech knocked down 45.7 percent of its shots-including 50 percent in the second half.
Turnovers killed NC State most of the night, especially during that crucial stretch when theYellow Jackets came from behind to grab the lead. The Wolfpack finished with 21-turnovers. Tech had 18.
