North Carolina State University Athletics
Defensive Intensity Leads Pack Over Pittsburgh
1/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
In its first game of 2015, the Pack looked like a new team. Head coach Mark Gottfried made some changes in the lineup and it provided the Pack with some much-needed life. After falling behind in the first few minutes of the half, the Pack went on an impressive run with help from some new faces to defeat Pittsburgh 68-50 in the Wolfpack's second ACC game of the year.
Emphasis was placed especially on the freshman Pack players against the Panthers, with Abdul-Malik Abu getting his first start and Cody Martin seeing an increase in minutes. Gottfried challenged his players to step up and show him who wanted to play over the last week, and one of the Martin twins did just that.
"During practice this week, Cody's play said, `Coach, play me.' I was proud of him today," said head coach Mark Gottfried.
Contributing significantly in the first half, Cody Martin provided four points when the team needed some motivation. After a drive to the basket in taking the ball all the way down the court, Martin was able to get the crowd fired up when the Panthers were knocking at the door. Add in a block and a rebound, and Wolfpack Nation was able to get a glimpse of what Cody Martin can eventually be for the team. Gottfried said that both Caleb and Cody Martin gave the team tremendous energy.
Defensively, the Wolfpack looked sharp, holding Pittsburgh to 32 percent shooting. The Wolfpack also blocked nine shots and was +8 in defensive rebounding.
When asked about what was different tonight, Abu responded with, "Passion. Fire. Intensity." Those three words defined the tone of the game, adding in that while everyone loves the game, it takes another level of intensity to go out there and believe in yourself every single play.
After a less than stellar performance against Cincinnati, leading scorers Trevor Lacey and Ralston Turner turned up the heat and combined for 35 points and 6-for-13 shooting from long range.
"It does feel good to get the win, but they all count as one and we still have 16 more to go," said Turner.
Lacey added: "We have to play like that every night."
