NC State
(22-14)
#17 Louisville
(27-8)
#PackMadness Ends In Sweet 16
3/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - NC State's NCAA Tournament run came to an end Friday night as the Pack lost to Louisville 75-65 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Trevor Lacey led the Wolfpack with 18 points. The All-ACC guard added three assists while playing all 40 minutes. Ralston Turner, in his final college game, scored 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting from 3-point range.
"I'm extremely proud of my team," head coach Mark Gottfried said. "I'm extremely grateful. We just came up a little bit short today."
Louisville, which advances to the Elite 8 for the fifth time in seven seasons, was led by the combination of Terry Rozier and Montrezl Harrell. Rozier went for 17 points and 14 rebounds while Harrell scored 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting. The Wolfpack had kept that duo in check in the two teams' meeting earlier this season, limiting them each to seven points.
After a late flurry of 3-pointers ended up with NC State leading 33-31 at halftime, the Wolfpack built a sizable lead early in the second half. Anthony 'Cat' Barber hit two 3-pointers as the Pack led Louisville 39-31.
Louisville (27-8) responded with a 16-2 run to regain the lead. Quentin Snider hit a trey from the right wing just seconds after a Mangok Mathiang block. Then, two free throws by Wayne Blackshear put the Cardinals up 47-41 with 12:58 left.
Determined to keep its storybook run going, the Wolfpack rallied again. Lacey's 3 from the top of the key gave them a 54-53 lead with 7:15 left. Louisville scored the next five points and wouldn't trail again.
The Pack's season, which began by being picked 10th in the ACC preseason poll, ended with the program's second Sweet 16 in four seasons under Gottfried. The Wolfpack finished the season with a 22-14 overall record. Turner and fellow seniors Desmond Lee and Staats Battle depart, but the Wolfpack will have plenty of firepower set to return next season. Additionally, the Pack will have junior transfer Terry Henderson, a double-digit scorer for West Virginia last season, eligible to play.
"We're excited about it," Gottfried said. "The guys coming back for our team...this should be something that motivates them to work extremely hard in springtime and summer. We tasted it. We tasted what it's like to be in this situation, and now it's got to be one of those where they should want it more."
Louisville 75, Pack 65. Louisville advanced. Great season #WPN!!! We'll be back!!! pic.twitter.com/BzsC6f1mKz
-- NC State Men's Bball (@PackMensBball) March 28, 2015
