North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Alabama
Pack Edges Tide 68-64
12/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2005
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Engin Atsur knew the outcome of the game rested on his shoulders when he stepped to the free throw line with 25 seconds to play and North Carolina State clinging to a one-point lead.
It was the first time Atsur or any of his teammates had been to the line all game. He calmly hit two free throws and the 21st-ranked Wolfpack held on for a 68-64 victory over Alabama on Thursday night.
"I knew I had to make those free throws for us to win the game. I felt good shooting those free throws," said Atsur, whose foul shots came after Alabama had cut an eight-point deficit to 65-64 in the final 2 minutes.
"We just stayed focused. Everybody was looking out for each other," said Atsur, who scored 15 points.
Alabama (5-4) had a chance to tie the game when Ronald Steele put up a 3-pointer with 9 seconds to play. The ball bounced in and out and the Wolfpack (9-1) held on for the win.
"I can't ask for a better look," Steele said of the missed shot. "It was a well designed play. I feel like I'd make that shot nine out of 10 times."
Chuck Davis scored 18 points for Alabama, mostly on layups and dunks. He scored his 1,000th career point early in the second half.
North Carolina State hit 11 3-pointers to just one for Alabama and used long range shots to stretch a 33-28 halftime lead to 51-41 with 10:58 to play.
The Crimson Tide tied the score several times in the second half, but each time the Wolfpack would go on a run sparked by 3-point shooting.
Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek said his team's ability to respond to Alabama runs was the difference in the game.
"Basketball is a game of runs. Our team responded well tonight when they made their runs. We bent, but did not break," Sendek said.
Atsur was 3-of-7 from behind the 3-point line, while Ilian Evtimov, who also scored 15 points, was 4-of-8.
Cameron Bennerman added 14 points for the Wolfpack. Steele had 14 for Alabama.
Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said he was proud of his team for hanging in until the end against a tough Top 25 team.
"We're 1-of-10 from the 3-point line and we're right there and have a chance to win at the end of the game," Gottfried said. "We're down three and Ron had a pretty good shot at the end."
