NC State Holds Off Texas Tech, Advances to Second Round

PITTSBURGH – The North Carolina State Wolfpack won its first NCAA tournament game since 2015 with the 80-67 victory against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Thursday in the PPG Paints Arena. 

Texas Tech played aggressively on defense and kept NC State quiet to start the game. DJ Horne led the Wolfpack to take its first lead of the night with two back-to-back three-pointers with 14 minutes remaining in the first half. 

The pace began to slack with the Wolfpack halfway through the first half, which led to a two-minute scoring drought. Eventually, they got it together and closed the half with a 10-0 run. After going three minutes without a score, the Red Raiders closed the half with a three-pointer from Darrion Williams at the buzzer. 

Horne started the Pack with a three-pointer for the second half. Pop Isaacs matched that for Texas Tech. The Pack held Texas Tech to another scoring drought of three minutes and went on a 9-0 run.  

DJ Burns Jr had the crowd roaring every time he was passed the ball. With four fouls and five minutes remaining, Burns came out of the game. 

The Pack continued to extend their lead as the game slowly ended and secured the 80-67 victory.  

NC State did not match the aggressiveness of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders played especially aggressive during one-on-one coverage. However, they managed to work the ball inside.  

The Wolfpack worked in the paint and scored 42 points (53%). Ben Middlebrooks came off the bench and led the Wolfpack with a new career high of 21 points. Mohamed Diarra followed with 17 points and 12 rebounds. 

NC State played some of their best ball and controlled the game by forcing fouls, limiting turnovers, and defending well.  

Up next, NC State will face Oakland on Saturday.