NC State
2-1,0-1ACC
FIU
-12,00 CUSA
Strong Second Half Lifts NC State Past FIU, 86-77
11/13/2019 11:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State men's basketball team (2-1, 0-1) defeated FIU (1-2, 0-0) 86-77 on Wednesday night at PNC Arena, led by C.J. Bryce's 16-point, seven-rebound performance.
Six players scored in double figures for the Wolfpack (Bryce, Devon Daniels - 14 points, Pat Andree - 14 points, D.J. Funderburk - 11 points, Markell Johnson - 10 points and Manny Bates - 10 points). It marked the first time the feat has been accomplished since November of 2017 (VMI).
Bryce and Daniels were the catalysts of NC State's offense in the second half with 12 points and 10 points, respectively.
With the game knotted up coming out of the halftime break, NC State weathered a quick 5-0 Panther run at the start of the second 20 minutes. The Pack's defense came to play, forcing 17 second-half turnovers.
NC State ratcheted up the intensity on the defensive end in the final 10 minutes of action. FIU turned the ball over eight times in five minutes, and over that time, the Pack extended its lead to eight points. NC State took its first double-digit lead of the game (70-60) with six minutes remaining to give the squad a cushion the rest of the way.
Bench points and the Pack's effort on the offensive glass boosted the team, as the support squad outscored FIU's 39-10. NC State turned 18 offensive rebounds into 20 second-chance points, compared to the Panthers' six offensive rebounds for seven second-chance points.
Funderburk and Bates led the attack on the glass with six and five offensive rebounds, respectively.
The uptempo pace of the first half led to a game of runs that evened itself out at 37 after the opening 20 minutes of play. FIU opened with a 9-2 lead thanks to a 9-0 run, but Andree sparked the squad off the bench with four three-pointers over a three-minute span.
Up next, NC State plays host to St. Francis Brooklyn inside James T. Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 16. Tipoff is set for noon, and the game will be broadcast live on ACCNX.
