Fouls Spear NC State’s Upset Bid vs. No. 8 Florida State

RALEIGH – Three days after beating the No. 6 Duke Blue Devils at home,  the N.C. State Wolfpack looked to repeat the same fate against the No. 8 Florida State Seminoles. 

N.C. State had full control in the first half and led 32-27 heading into the last 20 minutes of play. Florida State came on strong during the second half and dominated the paint on both ends of the floor to impede N.C. State’s upset bit by defeating them 67-61.

“We committed 15 fouls in the second half and Florida State committed five,” said Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts. “We played the same type of basketball. And I felt that on our drive, we didn’t get the same type of calls.” 

Keatts was fed up with the calls and received a rare technical in the second half. The Seminoles (23-4 overall, 13-3 ACC) had 29 free-throw attempts versus the Wolfpack’s (17-10 overall, 8-8 ACC) 13 attempts. Florida State made 9 more free-throws in the game which made a significant difference in the outcome.

“The free throws kind of added to the frustration,” said junior forward DJ Funderburk who fouled out. “We were capable of winning the game and things didn’t go our way when we needed it to. We have to get ready for the next one and we can’t dwell on this one.”

After setting a career-high against Duke, Wolfpack senior guard Markell Johnson fouled out as well with only seven points.

Wolfpack junior guard Devon Daniels led N.C. State with 18 points, 7-16  FG. Sophomore forward Jericole Hellems added 14 points. Seminoles wingman M.J. Walker and freshman Charlotte native Patrick Williams led their team with 12 points each.

NC State travels to Chapel Hill, to face their rival – the North Carolina Tar Heels – Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 9 p.m. The remainder of the season is critical for the Wolfpack as they try to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Florida State hosts the No. 11 Louisville Cardinals Monday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m.

(Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost)