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Can North Carolina State Wolfpack's Late Surge Overturn Virginia Tech Hokies' Lead?

In a closely contested game at Cassell Coliseum, the North Carolina State Wolfpack faced off against the Virginia Tech Hokies, ending in a nail-biting finish. The Wolfpack, unable to secure a win, fell short with a final score of 76-79. This result moves their season record further along, reflecting the intense competition in this conference game. Despite their efforts and leading by as much as 15 points during the match, the Wolfpack could not maintain their lead against a determined Hokies team.


Jan 15, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies center Patrick Wessler (5) shoots the ball against North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dontrez Styles (3) during the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Game Highlights


The game was characterized by numerous lead changes and ties, indicating how evenly matched both teams were throughout the contest. The North Carolina State Wolfpack showcased their offensive capabilities early on by scoring 45 points in the first half but struggled to keep up the momentum in the second half with only 31 points added to their tally. Their performance was highlighted by impressive shooting accuracy from both inside and outside the arc, achieving a field goal percentage of 50 percent and converting eight out of nineteen three-point attempts.


Key players for the Wolfpack included Jayden Taylor who led his team with 17 points followed closely by Ben Middlebrooks who contributed significantly with 13 points and displayed defensive skills with three steals. Marcus Hill also made notable contributions with 12 points and five rebounds.


Jan 15, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Ben Burnham (13) kicks the ball on a pass from North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Michael O'Connell (12) during the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Virginia Tech's Response


On the other side of the court, Virginia Tech Hokies managed to overcome an early deficit thanks to their bench players who contributed an astonishing 38 points towards their victory. The Hokies demonstrated resilience especially in rebounding where they outperformed North Carolina State collecting total rebounds of thirty-five compared to twenty-four from NCST.


Looking Ahead


The next challenge for North Carolina State will be hosting California Golden Bears at Lenovo Center on January 18th at 6:00 PM EDT. Fans looking forward to catching this matchup can tune into ACC Network for live coverage from Raleigh.


Jan 15, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Ben Burnham (13) and North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Michael O'Connell (12) watch the ball after Burnham kicked the ball during the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

As we continue through this exciting season, let's rally behind our team for what promises to be an engaging encounter against California Golden Bears. Share your thoughts on how you think NCST can bounce back from this setback and join us in supporting them through every play!

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