Markell Johnson
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NC State’s Markell Johnson Drills Half-court Buzzer-Beat Against UNC-G

Landon Bost

Greensboro, NC – Insanity it was.

N.C. State Wolfpack senior guard Markell Johnson drilled a half-court, buzzer-beater to defeat the UNC Greensboro Spartans 80-77 after Spartans junior guard Isiah Miller scored go-ahead turnaround jumper with two seconds left to tie the game.

“Get it up before the time went out,” Johnson said when asked about the last-second shot, “that was the only thing that was going through my mind in a moment like that. Tried to get a defensive stop on the other end – guy scored – so I was just trying to get it back.”

Miller and Johnson finished as the game’s leading sorcerers with 26 and 19 points. Johnson also led the way in assists with seven assists.

“It’s definitely fun playing against (Miller) who can do a little bit of everything,” Markell Johnson said. “He is one of the top guards in a country – at a high-major level, mid-major level, it doesn’t matter ­– I feel like he’s one of the better guards in the country.”

Coming into today, Wolfpack graduate forward Pat Andree was in a terrible shooting slump – 7-25 from the floor over the past month. However, Andree found his rhythm and shot 5-8 from the 3-point line for an N.C. State career-high 15 points.

“Tonight was my job to come in and step up,” Andree said. “Cole’s been out for a little bit obviously with what happened last week. It was my job to come in, be a graduate senior, and bring some leadership and hit the shots when I’m open.”

Wolfpack senior guard C.J. Bryce added 19 points.

What’s Next

The Spartans travel to play the Vermont Catamounts Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m.

The Wolfpack travel to face the No. 12 ranked Auburn Tigers Thursday, Nov. 19, at 9 p.m.

 “We don’t want to dwell on things like this,” Johnson said, “We just gotta lock-in, and take it step-by-step and get ready for Auburn. That’s the next opponent. This game is past us right now.”