Pack Falls to Georgia Tech, 78-74

Saturday, January 17

Raleigh, NC

12 PM

NC State

12-6,3-2ACC

Georgia Tech

11-8,2-4ACC

Georgia Tech

NC State

1/17/2026 3:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State men's basketball (12-6, 3-2 ACC) shot just 37.1 percent from the field as it fell to Georgia Tech (11-8, 2-4 ACC), 78-74, Saturday afternoon inside the Lenovo Center.

The Pack's field goal percentage was its second-lowest of the season. NC State started the game by making just three of its first 14 shots and closed the game, making just two of its final nine attempts as the Pack only made five field goals in the final 10 minutes of the game.

The Yellow Jackets shot 51.9 percent for the game and 58.3 percent in the second half as it overcame an eight point second half deficit to win.

NC State led by one at the half and scored the first five points out of the break to extend its lead to six. The Pack's lead grew to 55-47 on a Terrance Arceneaux three-pointer with 12:15 to go, but Georgia Tech responded with an 18-3 run over the next six minutes to take a 65-58 lead with 6:21 to play.

NC State got within one possession multiple times, including 77-74 with 39 seconds left on two Paul McNeil, Jr., free throws, but NC State would not score again.

Quadir Copeland led the Pack with 16 points and six assists. Ven-Allen Lubin added 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds. Paul McNeil, Jr., was the only other NC State player in double figures with 12.

The first half was a battle of runs with each team going on multiple scoring streaks.

NC State jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a 12-0 run to take the lead. GT's lead grew to many as eight before Matt Able capped a 12-3 Pack run with a three-pointer to put NC State up 22-21 with 7:40 left in the opening half.

Georgia Tech responded to the Pack's 12-3 run with an 11-2 run to take a 32-24 lead with 2:51 until the half.

But the Pack had one final run in it to close the first half as NC State matched Georgia Tech's 11-2 run with an 11-2 streak of its own to take a 35-34 lead into the halftime locker room.

Kowacie Reeves Jr. led the Yellow Jackets with 21 points. He scored 17 of his game-high 21 points in the second half. Lamar Washington chipped in 18 points and Jaeden Mustaf added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

NC State returns to the road Tuesday when it plays at 22^nd-ranked Clemson. Tipoff against the Tigers is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.