North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Advances with 59-57 Win Over Clemson
3/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BY TIM PEELER
GREENSBORO, N.C. – One thing NC State has learned throughout the course of this season is the importance of finishing strong.
There were times, especially during its seven-game ACC losing streak, that the Wolfpack didn't play the full 40 minutes and suffered through some second-half setbacks. But Friday night, in the first round of the 57th-annual ACC Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum, the Wolfpack withstood every Clemson comeback to take a 59-57 victory over the sixth-seeded Tigers.
It was Sidney Lowe's fourth win in the last five games, heading into Friday night's 9:30 p.m. quarterfinal against third-seeded Florida State.
"I think what we have had is a combination of never giving up and never quitting," Lowe said. "I think they are learning what they need to do to win games, especially down the stretch."
Junior Tracy Smith scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds and freshman Richard Howell had nine points and 11. Senior Farnold Degand also added nine.
The Wolfpack grabbed the lead early in the game, thanks to a 3-pointer by Degand with 15:11 remaining in the first half and it never trailed again. It stretched the lead to eight points in the first half, and 10 at one point in the second.
But Clemson kept making runs to come back, and was never too far from snatching the lead back from Lowe's team.
"What I kept telling my team was that there was no need to panic," Lowe said. "They just had to go out there and make plays and good things were going to happen. The only way you stop a run is to go get a defensive stop."
Defense played a big role in the Wolfpack's win. It forced Clemson to make 15 turnovers and took a 34-25 advantage in rebounding.
The Wolfpack offense, guided by hobbled junior point guard Javi Gonzalez, made 19 turnovers against the Clemson press, but the Tigers were never allowed to regain the lead.
"We knew we just had to keep our composure," said Smith. "A couple games back, we wouldn't have done that. The other team would hit a few shots, start coming back and take the momentum. I think we have learned how to withstand those runs."
Clemson made two 3-pointers in the final minute, cutting State's lead to just two points with less than 10 seconds to play. But, on the game's final possession, Smith smothered a rebound to seal the victory.
"I didn't want them to get a chance to get up a shot or anything," Smith said. "I knew there was a little time left on the clock and I just wanted to secure the ball."
The Wolfpack (18-14) took its only double-digit lead of the night when freshman Scott Wood nailed a 3-pointer with 12:49 remaining in the game. But Clemson (21-10) quickly came back, thanks to drive by Demontez Stitt and a 3-pointer by Noel Johnson.
When Farnold Degand was called for an intentional foul with 9:54 to play, the Tigers clearly had the momentum. Trevor Booker hit one of the free throws he was awarded and Johnson added another 3-pointer, cutting the Wolfpack's lead to 45-41 on the four-point possession.
But Wood answered with another 3-pointer, the Wolfpack's defense continue to create turnovers and Smith continued to score inside, pushing the lead back to eight points.
Howell tipped in a missed runner by junior Javi Gonzalez and Smith Scored his 19th point with 1:19 remaining, Lowe's team all but wrapped up the game.
The Wolfpack jumped out to a quick lead in the first half, even though Gonzalez had to leave the game for nearly 10 minutes after suffering a twisted ankle just four minutes into the game.
Clemson tried to apply pressure, but the Wolfpack scored nine unanswered points to take an 11-5 lead. Smith started the run off with a basket inside, followed by a 3-pointer by Degand at the top of the key, a layup by freshman Richard Howell and another short jumper by Smith.
The Wolfpack maintained that lead with sophomore Julius Mays at the point. Gonzalez eventually returned at the 6:47 mark, with his team still holding an 18-11 advantage. But he only p;layed 22 minutes in the contest, with two points, one assist and four turnovers.
Turnovers played a big role in the opening 20 minutes. Clemson gave the ball away nine times, while the Wolfpack committed six, including three on consecutive possessions with less than two minutes to play. The Tigers pounced, cutting the deficit to 24-21 on a three-point play by David Potter with 47.9 seconds remaining in the half.
Smith added a free throw with 43 seconds to play to give the Wolfpack its 25-21 halftime lead.
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
