NC State
2-0,0-0ACC
Abilene Christian
1-1,0-0WAC
Taylor Leads Pack Past Abilene Christian, 84-64
11/10/2023 10:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Playing in his second game in an NC State uniform, Taylor’s 22 points were two short of his career-high
RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State men's basketball team was back in action Friday evening inside PNC Arena, moving to 2-0 on the young year with an 84-64 trouncing of Abilene Christian 84-64.
NC State scored on its first possession while Abilene Christian responded with a three on its first possession to take a 3-2 lead. That would be the Wildcats' final lead of the game as the Pack methodically built a first half advantage.
The Pack's lead was eight, 27-19, with 10:32 to play when a 10-0 NC State run pushed the advantage to 18.
Abilene Christian would never get closer than 14 the rest of the game.
Four members of the Pack recorded a double-figure scoring night, led by junior Jayden Taylor's 22 points and perfect nine-for-nine performance from the charity stripe. Taylor's 22 points were two shy of tying his career-high.
After driving to the hoop in the first half, leading to seven free throw attempts, the Indianapolis, Ind., native showed off his range in the second half, knocking down three of his four second half three-point attempts.
Casey Morsell recorded 16 points, while D.J. Burns Jr. put up 12 and added seven rebounds, and a game-high four assists.
DJ Horne provided 15 points for NC State, his first time scoring in double figures this season. NC State big man Mohamed Diarra continued his hot start to the year, falling one point short of a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Eight minutes into the second half, the Pack took all doubt remaining out of the outcome as NC State rattled off an 11-0 run to push its advantage to 29.
NC State emptied its bench with 3:36 to play and an 84-56 advantage over ACU.
The Wolfpack returns to the court on Friday, November 17 against Charleston Southern inside PNC Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.
