Notre Dame Holds Off NC State’s Late Comeback

Saturday, February 18

Raleigh, NC

12:00 p.m.

NC State

14-14, 3-12ACC

Notre Dame

21-7, 10-5ACC

Notre Dame

NC State

2/18/2017 2:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State was nearly able to overcome a 23-point deficit against No. 25 Notre Dame but dropped an 81-72 decision at PNC Arena Saturday afternoon.

The Wolfpack dropped to 14-14 overall and 3-12 in ACC play with the loss.

Despite keeping up with Notre Dame on the boards in the first half, NC State couldn't finish off its open looks, shooting 12-for-30 from the field as the Fighting Irish entered the intermission with a 41-28 lead.

Maverick Rowan led NC State with seven first half points, hitting the Wolfpack's lone 3-pointer.

Notre Dame stretched its lead to 23 points, taking a 59-36 lead early in the second half; however, Dennis Smith Jr. – assisted by Darius Hicks' spark off the bench – spearheaded a 20-7 run highlighted by two completed and-1 baskets that cut the deficit down to as little as 10 with 7:23 to play.

A 2:22 drought without a field goal for either team was broken with 4:20 to play when Notre Dame's Bonzie Colson completed a 3-point play to stretch the Fighting Irish's lead to 72-59.

Johnson's career day continued as he led a late Wolfpack surge, hitting a mid-range jumper, notching a steal and assist to Terry Henderson in transition and then making a layup off a baseline drive that put the Wolfpack within striking distance, 75-68, with 1:25 to go.

Despite shooting 64.3 percent from the field in the second half, the Wolfpack couldn't overcome Notre Dame's poise at the free throw line as the Fighting Irish shot 6-for-7 in the final minute to secure the victory.

Markell Johnson finished with a career-high 12 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field.

Smith Jr. finished with 16 points and Rowan added another 15.

NC State is back in action Tuesday at 8 p.m. as the Wolfpack travel to Georgia Tech. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.