NC State basketball snapped a three-game losing streak thanks to their 84-74 overtime victory over Florida State in both teams’ ACC opener.
The Wolfpack (6-3, 1-0 ACC) went on a 24-8 run after Jamir Watkins connected on a free throw to put Florida State (7-3, 0-1 ACC) up 6 with 3:44 to go in the game. Marcus Hill led NC State basketball with 23 points while Dontrez Styles added 21 points, with those two scoring 13 of the 14 points scored in overtime. The Seminoles were led by Watkins with 24 points, scoring 16 of them on the free throw line. This was the first time Florida State lost an overtime game since a December 2015 loss against Iowa, a streak of 14 games.
Takeaway #1: NC State’s three-point defense continues to impress
The Wolfpack’s prior two games saw teams connect with three-pointers at will, shooting over 38.5% from beyond the arc. The message seemed to reach the locker room, as they held Florida State to 18.8% from deep on 3-of-16 shooting.
The starting five for the Seminoles went a combine o-for-6. Even Watkins, who had shot 67% prior to the LSU game, has now gone two straight games without connecting with a three-pointer.
This puts the Wolfpack at the top of the pack in regard to three-point defense in the ACC, which is a far improvement from ranking 10th in the conference by allowing opponents to shoot 33.5% from deep.
Takeaway #2: Malique Ewin rebounded from slow first half
The junior transfer from South Plains Community College recorded his second straight double-digit scoring output, while coming one rebound shy of a double-double. But the Wolfpack defense was able to shut him down in the first half.
Despite spending the most time on the court in the first 20 minutes, he only scored 6 points and 2 rebounds.
7 straight points for Malique – he’s got his second consecutive 17 point scoring game — career-high tying 17 points
FSU 59, NCSU 58 | 6:53, 2nd pic.twitter.com/ilseSIwByY
— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) December 7, 2024
Then, Ewin got his shooting touch and went 8-of-9 in the second half to help erase a seven-point second half lead by the Wolfpack. Unfortunately for Florida State, the Wolfpack defensive pressure forced Ewin to collect his fifth foul with less in two minutes in regulation in the middle of a 6-2 NC State run.
With Ewin starting to come into his own for the Seminoles, it is giving the fans in Tallahassee hope about making their first NCAA Tournament since a Sweet 16 appearance in 2021.
Takeaway #3: Top of depth chart continuing to produce, while others making an impact
During their three-game losing streak, the Wolfpack would always have at least two players scoring in double-digits, but the rest of the lineup would struggle to find consistency.
3 by 3! https://t.co/FTNsWUm9Rk pic.twitter.com/fLjcfTbFOK
— NC State Men’s Basketball (@PackMensBball) December 7, 2024
Breon Pass, who had not scored in double figures since the season opener, made the most of his minutes against Florida State. The senior guard out of Reidsville, N.C. hit two clutch three-pointers in the first half to help build an early NC State lead.
Even Ben Middlebrooks, in the midst of four straight games of scoring under 10 points, made plays to keep the game in their favor. Making that extra pass may not show up on the stat sheet, but it would put his teams in the perfect possession to score. He also contributed defensively, with not allowing Florida State to score on 37.3% of the possessions he was on the court for.
Next Up for NC State (6-3): vs Coppin State (0-10) – Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. EST
Next Up for Florida State (7-3): vs. Tulane (4-6) – Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m. EST