NC State fights off slow start. Takeaways from the Wolfpack’s win over Saint Louis
N.C. State came sauntering on to the court Wednesday at PNC Arena as if ready for an enjoyable, mostly stress-free night.
Wolfpack players casually went through the pregame warmups, smiling, laughing, even doing a little dancing.
And then the game against St. Louis began. The fun ended. It was serious business.
Casey Morsell, D.J. Horne and D.J. Burns delivered big baskets for the Pack in an 82-70 victory. Morsell had 21 points, Horne 18 and Burns 13 for the Wolfpack.
The Pack (8-3) trailed 36-33 at halftime as the Billkens (7-6) played their game, looking to attack the basket while challenging the Pack at every turn on the defensive end. They were quick, energetic, seemingly comfortable in the setting on the Pack’s home floor.,
NCSU coach Kevin Keatts likely didn’t mince words at the break. The Pack was better to open the second half as St. Louis opened in a zone. Morsell and Horne buried 3’s and the Pack moved in front 41-38.
But Burns picked up a technical foul — his third personal. Momentum stalled as Burns sat. The Billkens made the foul shots and moved back ahead.
After a 3 by Morsell, Keatts called a timeout, demanding tougher play. But it would be close until the final five minutes, when the Pack broke it open.
Takeaways from the game
Experience counts
Not every game goes as planned. Sometimes, it’s more about grit and determination than execution.
So it was for the Pack. Many things seemed to be working against the Pack — problems at the line, a few missed calls, missed assignments on defense, losing a few 50-50 battles for the ball.
But Morsell was a steady presence for the Pack, his experience evident. Morsell was there when the Pack needed him. So was Burns and Horne.
Need to be better at the line
The Pack came into game 10th in the ACC in free-throw shooting at 71.9% and saw that dip in the opening half, going 8 of 15 at the line while the BIllikens were 11 of 15.
Keatts is one of those coaches who doesn’t like to harp on free throws too much, but realizes the Pack must be better. Close games so often are decided at the line.
By the second half, many Pack fans were groaning at every missed free throw.
Burns takes a beating
Burns takes a beating in every game, Yes, he’s a big. Very big. But it appears referees give opponents a lot more freedom defending him.
St. Louis’ Bradley Ezewiro, 6-9, 265-pound junior, was the guy pounding on Burns. It was arm in the back, arm in the back, push and shove.
Burns gets a lot of touch fouls. Hard ones, too. It can be hard to maintain composure — thus the technical.
