NC State Claws Past Clemson

RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina State Wolfpack held their ground and defeated the Clemson Tigers 60-54.

N.C. State lost 14 days ago, Jan. 4,  when they traveled to Clemson.

Five minutes into the second half, N.C State went on an 11-point scoring run that gave them a lift to finish the game.

N.C. State junior guard D.J. Funderburk notched his first career double-double win 13 points and 11 rebounds. he also accounted for an assist and a block.

“It felt good:  it felt really good,” Funderburk said, “I was close all the time before, but I finally got it this time.”

The Wolfpack (13-5, 4-3 ACC) had three players who scored in double-digits alongside of Funderburk – senior guard Markell Johnson 13, senior guard C.J. Bryce 11 and junior guard Devon Daniels 13 points. 

“It’s so crazy,” said Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts,  “I told the guys yesterday, ‘I don’t know who are starters are.’ I literally pick the starting lineup about 20 minutes before the game. … I look at the whole week of practice, I look at shoot-around and then I look at the match-ups.”

Clemson ignited a run at the end of the second half, but the Wolfpack withstood the pressure with their defensive strategy and toughness.

“I knew this would be a grind it out the game,” Keatts said. “… To our guy’s credit, we made adjustments, did a good job on scouting reports, took away the strengths that they beat us with at their place two weeks ago.”

The key tonight was defense. N.C. State forced 12 turnovers, had multiple blocked shots, held Clemson to under 38 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arch. 

“We’ve played our two best defensive games in the last couple of games that we played, and we just want to continue to build on defense,” Keatts said.

Graduate forward Pat Andree and Redshirt freshman forward Manny Bates went down with injuries (Andree lower-leg and Bates neck/head). There is no update on their status at the moment they will be evaluated in the coming days.

NC State has a tough defensive matchup when they travel to Charlottesville, Va, against the Virginia Cavaliers Monday, Jan. 20, at 7:00 p.m.