Wednesday, March 5
Raleigh, NC
7 PM
NC State
12-18,5-14ACC
71
vs
63
Pitt
16-14,7-12ACC
1
2
F
Pittsburgh
30
33
63
NC State
34
37
71
NC State's Veterans Lead Pack to Senior Night Victory
3/5/2025 10:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NC State's 7-man senior class combined for all 71 of the Pack's points in the win over Pitt
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State men's basketball team closed the home portion of its schedule with a 71-63 win over Pitt on Wednesday night inside the Lenovo Center.
NC State celebrated its seven-man senior class in pregame ceremonies and the seven seniors combined to score all 71 of the Pack's points in the victory over Pitt.
Michael O'Connell led NC State with 15 points and a game-high eight assists. It was the first time O'Connell has reached double figures in points since he had 10 points in the game at Wake Forest on Jan. 4.
Breon Pass made his first career start – in his 115th career appearance in an NC State uniform – and tied his career-high with 14 points. Pass knocked down a career-best four three-pointers and added three assists, one steal and one block.
Dontrez Styles registered his third double-double of the season and fifth of his career with 13 points and a career-high tying 13 rebounds.
Ben Middlebrooks finished with 11 points and a game-high three steals
Marcus Hill added 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting off the bench.
The first nine minutes saw the two teams exchange the lead five times and also featured five ties.
The game was tied at 17 with 10:47 when the Pack went on a 14-6 run to take a 31-23 lead with 2:52 left in the first half. The Panthers responded by scoring seven of the final 10 points of the half to cut NC State's halftime advantage to four, 34-30.
The Pack opened the second half with seven straight points to take its largest lead of the game, 41-30.
Pitt would not let NC State open up a larger lead though as the Panther used a 9-2 spurt to get within one, 55-54, with 4:56 remaining.
Middlebrooks responded with a three-point play on the Pack's ensuing possession to build the lead back to four.
After a three-pointer by Pitt got the Panthers within two with 3:16 to go, O'Connell answered with a three-pointer on the other end to push NC State's advantage back to five and the Panthers would never get any closer as the Pack sealed the game at the foul line, making all eight of its free throw attempts in the final 2:18 of the game.
Pitt was led by Jaland Lowe who scored a game-high 20 points and added seven assists.
NC State closes the regular season Saturday afternoon when it plays at Miami. Tipoff against the Hurricanes is scheduled for noon and the game will be televised on The CW.
NC State celebrated its seven-man senior class in pregame ceremonies and the seven seniors combined to score all 71 of the Pack's points in the victory over Pitt.
Michael O'Connell led NC State with 15 points and a game-high eight assists. It was the first time O'Connell has reached double figures in points since he had 10 points in the game at Wake Forest on Jan. 4.
Breon Pass made his first career start – in his 115th career appearance in an NC State uniform – and tied his career-high with 14 points. Pass knocked down a career-best four three-pointers and added three assists, one steal and one block.
Dontrez Styles registered his third double-double of the season and fifth of his career with 13 points and a career-high tying 13 rebounds.
Ben Middlebrooks finished with 11 points and a game-high three steals
Marcus Hill added 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting off the bench.
The first nine minutes saw the two teams exchange the lead five times and also featured five ties.
The game was tied at 17 with 10:47 when the Pack went on a 14-6 run to take a 31-23 lead with 2:52 left in the first half. The Panthers responded by scoring seven of the final 10 points of the half to cut NC State's halftime advantage to four, 34-30.
The Pack opened the second half with seven straight points to take its largest lead of the game, 41-30.
Pitt would not let NC State open up a larger lead though as the Panther used a 9-2 spurt to get within one, 55-54, with 4:56 remaining.
Middlebrooks responded with a three-point play on the Pack's ensuing possession to build the lead back to four.
After a three-pointer by Pitt got the Panthers within two with 3:16 to go, O'Connell answered with a three-pointer on the other end to push NC State's advantage back to five and the Panthers would never get any closer as the Pack sealed the game at the foul line, making all eight of its free throw attempts in the final 2:18 of the game.
Pitt was led by Jaland Lowe who scored a game-high 20 points and added seven assists.
NC State closes the regular season Saturday afternoon when it plays at Miami. Tipoff against the Hurricanes is scheduled for noon and the game will be televised on The CW.
Team Stats
UP
NCSU
FG%
.412
.407
3FG%
.353
.345
FT%
.750
.810
RB
31
32
TO
14
11
STL
6
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
6
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG/F
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