NC State defeats Boise State in Game 2 of Maui Invitational

Feast Week started for N.C. State with a big red wreck in a Game 1 blowout to open the Maui Invitational. It rebounded in a big way on its second game of the tournament Tuesday, looking more like itself in an 81-70 win over Boise State.

Basketball teams regularly refer to the sport as a “game of runs,” and N.C. State’s game against Boise State represented that description. The No. 23 Wolfpack opened and ended the first half on significant scoring runs, leading by as many as 10 points midway through the second half. The Broncos, however, held N.C. State scoreless for six minutes midway through the period to erase its own deficit and put pressure on the opposition.

In response, the Pack outscored Boise State 12-2 before halftime. The Broncos opened the second half on an 11-2 run and retook the lead, but, again, N.C. State powered past the Mountain West foe with a 12-3 stretch to get back in the win column.

N.C. State didn’t always shoot the ball well while losing 85-74 to Seton Hall on Monday, but head coach Will Wade said it had bigger issues than its 3-point shooting.

“We can’t talk about it anymore,” Wade said in his pregame speech. “We’ve gotta be about action.”

After giving up a season-high 85 points, 51.8% shooting percentage and getting outscored in the paint by 14 points, the Wolfpack’s defense had a far better showing against the Broncos.

Boise State (4-3) shot 19 of 56 (33.9%) from the field, it went 11 of 33 (33.3%) from 3, the defense driving the Broncos from the paint. The Broncos turned the ball over 15 times, which the Pack turned into 13 steals and 24 points.

N.C. State (5-1) might’ve gotten a little too aggressive – Darrion Williams, Tre Holloman and Quadir Copeland all fouled out in the final minutes – but Wade always says he wants to tell his players “whoa” instead of “go.”

Williams led the Pack with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Paul McNeil, Tre Holloman and Ven-Allen Lubin added double figures. Lubin picked up an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Dylan Andrews led the Broncos with 26 points, including five 3-pointers.

Two types of starts

The first half and second half starts were vastly different for the Wolfpack, one it can be proud of and one it might want to redo.

N.C. State jumped out to an early 8-0 lead in the first 2 1/2 minutes, led by Williams and Lubin. Williams, who scored two points in the first half against Seton Hall, and Lubin started a combined 4 for 4 from the field.

Williams added another basket with a little more than 14 minutes left in the first half to score seven first-half points, including the opening basket.

Then, the Pack jumped out to a 20-10 lead roughly seven minutes into the game, scoring three consecutive baskets from a trio of different players from the arc in the span of 54 seconds.

N.C. State, as a group, didn’t score eight points against Seton Hall until six minutes into play.

Beyond the scoring, N.C. State’s start was marked with purposeful movement and positive body language. The team looked engaged and ready to be aggressive, not just play. Terrance Arceneaux, for example, recorded a steal on the first play of the game. Musa Sagnia blocked a shot 6 1/2 minutes into the game, which the team turned into a 3 from Matt Able during its early run.

After a strong start to the game, N.C. State didn’t come out of the break with the same fire and intensity. In the first three minutes of play, it allowed Boise State to hit a trio of 3-pointers to take a 39-36 lead.

Part of the Broncos’ strong second-half start can be attributed to Quadir Copeland’s mistakes. Copeland committed a pair of turnovers in the first three minutes of the second half, and Boise State scored two of its early shots on those miscues.

The Pack’s response, however, was marked once again by the purpose and toughness it played with in the first half.

Rebounding inconsistency pops up again

Will Wade and his staff expected this roster to struggle off the glass, because it’s not quite as big as other teams. Prior to the team’s departure, however, Wade said that was an area where he felt like it was further ahead than expected.

That might not be the case after the first two games in Hawaii, both of which have been somewhat concerning.

N.C. State was out-rebounded by Boise State, 23-16, in the first half. The Broncos pulled down nine offensive rebounds and scored four second-chance points. There were several instances where no one crashed the glass and allowed the Broncos to gain possession easily.

Lubin paced the effort on the boards, finishing with a game-high 12. He said last week the team has the heart and the competitiveness to be a solid rebounding team.

“I want to make sure that I do that and help the team as best I can,” Lubin said earlier this month. “If that’s dominating glass, I’ll do it.”

This performance comes after the Wolfpack was out-rebounded 37-30 against Seton Hall and gave up 13 points on second-chance opportunities. Lubin pulled down nine of the team’s rebounds in the first game.

N.C. State entered Maui ranked No. 62 in the nation for rebounds per game (41.5) and No. 42 for defensive rebounds (29.5).

Getting the ball inside

N.C. State’s offense went stagnant at several points during the game. Some of that can be attributed to Boise State’s defense, which can shut down passing lanes and force turnovers, but there were times when the Wolfpack lacked communication and flow.

The team’s shooting found a rhythm when it got into transition and got the ball inside. That didn’t mean N.C. State always took shots in the paint, but it did well when it kicked the ball outside to find an open man, either for a shot or another pass.

The Wolfpack finished with 15 assists on 27 field goals. It also went seven of 16 on layups and five of six dunks.

When the Pack was inefficient at getting paint touches, the rest of the offense would get out of rhythm and players ended up taking lower-efficiency shots. This might not always be the ideal game plan for every matchup, but it worked against Boise State and it appeared to be one that can work in many situations.

____