The NC State Wolfpack has marked an exceptional milestone, achieving their strongest start in the Atlantic Coast Conference in two decades following a commanding 96-78 triumph over Wake Forest. This victory, fueled by outstanding performances from key players, represents the team's fourth consecutive win and solidifies their position in the league. The strategic play and high scoring efficiency displayed by the Wolfpack underscore their current momentum and aspirations for a successful season.
In a compelling matchup on Saturday afternoon in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Paul McNeil Jr. delivered a standout performance, contributing 28 points to lead the NC State scoring. Complementing his effort, Darrion Williams added an impressive 20 points, showcasing his consistent offensive prowess. Together, their contributions were pivotal in securing the win, which saw NC State improve their record to 16-6 overall and 7-2 in the ACC. This latest win also mirrors their success against Wake Forest earlier in the season, on December 31st.
The Wolfpack's offensive depth was further highlighted by Ven-Allen Lubin, who chipped in 12 points, and Tre Holloman, adding 11 points to the tally. Quadir Copeland played a crucial facilitating role, dishing out 10 assists while also scoring 8 points. The team demonstrated remarkable shooting accuracy from beyond the arc, converting 16 out of 28 three-point attempts. McNeil Jr. was particularly effective from long range, hitting six threes, with Williams also making a significant impact with five successful three-pointers.
Wake Forest, now with a record of 11-11 overall and 2-7 in the conference, struggled to contain NC State's potent offense. Despite Juke Harris's game-high 31 points and a solid 21-for-24 performance from the free-throw line, the Demon Deacons suffered their fourth consecutive loss. Sebastian Akins stepped into the starting lineup for Wake Forest due to Nate Calmese's injury, contributing 8 points in 18 minutes of play. The game's start time was adjusted to an earlier slot due to an impending winter storm in the region.
NC State established an early lead, going up 17-6 within the first eight minutes of the game. Williams was instrumental in the initial surge, scoring nine of the team's first 20 points. By halftime, the Wolfpack held a significant 49-31 advantage, with Williams and McNeil Jr. each having 14 points. Although Wake Forest managed to narrow the gap to 64-54 with approximately 13 minutes remaining, they were unable to mount a sustained comeback. NC State solidified their lead with an 8-0 run, culminating in McNeil's foul shots that pushed the margin to 89-70, effectively sealing their dominant victory.
This decisive victory underscores NC State's current impressive form and their aspiration to maintain this high level of performance throughout the season. Their ability to deliver strong offensive outputs and maintain control of the game, even when challenged, bodes well for their future contests in the competitive ACC. The team's collective effort and individual brilliance have set a strong foundation, marking a truly memorable season start.