North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Shines In Win Against Duke
1/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. - At the beginning of the season, head coach Mark Gottfried told the nation that this team was unproven. Today, they proved themselves capable of anything, defeating No. 2 Duke 87-75. It would be the resilience of the young squad that would prove to never give up, and hold off a late Duke run. The arena was rocking with Wolfpack faithful, and the team did not disappoint.
Head coach Mark Gottfried said it best in the simplest form. "Today, we beat a very, very good basketball team," said Gottfried.
Kyle Washington and Trevor Lacey took advantage of Duke's defensive rotations in the first half to give the Pack a 37-34 halftime lead. Add in three slam dunks from Abdul-Malik Abu, and the Wolfpack didn't seem to be phased by the stacked Duke team.
During the first half, Washington was able to keep State in the game, showing many facets to his game that proved to be crucial when Duke was ahead.
Against top-ranked teams, Washington has looked his best, and tonight was no different. Blocking the extremely talented Jahlil Okafor on multiple occasions, Washington showed no mercy. Working from behind the three-point line, Washington showed that his attitude was one of a winner.
During the second half, BeeJay Anya stole the spotlight, completely shutting down Duke's shooters at the rim.
"You know, Jahlil is a very good player. Probably the best post player in America. I think our four posts went in there and held on." Anya said. Gottfried agreed, saying that Okafor has the ability to change a basketball game but noted that Anya has a knack for blocking shots.
Hitting shots from all over the court, Lacey was the best guard on the court on Sunday. During the game, basketball analyst Jeff Goodman called Lacey the nation's top transfer.
Looking like one of the best guards in the ACC, Lacey proved to be a challenge against the Duke players guarding him. In particular, Rasheed Sulaimon looked to be doing too much on defense, which allowed Lacey to find some open shots.
"Today we brought it all together. We brought our best game," Lacey said.
Hitting his classic pull-up 3-point shot over and over again, Lacey finished the contest with 21 points. Two other Pack players finished in double digits, as Ralston Turner had 16 while Anya added another 14.
"We play all our games to win. Regardless of the opponent, we just want to play hard." At the beginning of the season, head coach Mark Gottfried told the nation that this team was unproven. Today, they proved themselves capable of anything, defeating No. 2 Duke 87-75. It would be the resilience of the young squad that would prove to never give up, and hold off a late Duke run. The arena was rocking with Wolfpack faithful, and the team did not disappoint.
"We play all our games to win. Regardless of the opponent, we just want to play hard," Turner said.
by: Kendra Stowe
