In a thrilling quarterfinal matchup at the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament, the seventh-seeded NC State Wolfpack put up a valiant fight against the second-seeded, 10th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, ultimately falling 81-74. Despite the loss, NC State showcased some impressive individual performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Leading the charge for the Wolfpack was Paul McNeil, Jr., who delivered an outstanding 26-point performance, including six three-pointers. This feat not only highlighted his sharpshooting skills but also etched his name in NC State's history books as the fourth player to hit over 100 three-pointers in a single season, joining the likes of DJ Horne, Rodney Monroe, and Scott Wood.
Ven-Allen Lubin also made his presence felt with a solid double-double, contributing 14 points and snagging 10 rebounds, alongside three crucial blocks. Matt Able chipped in with 12 points, while Quadir Copeland added nine points and dished out a game-high six assists, further bolstering the Wolfpack's efforts.
The game was a nail-biter from the start, with Virginia holding a slim 33-32 lead at halftime. The Cavaliers managed to extend their lead to 55-45 midway through the second half thanks to a decisive 9-0 run.
However, NC State refused to back down, clawing their way back to within four points at 78-74 with just 27 seconds remaining. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, they couldn't capitalize on their final possession, and Virginia sealed the game with clutch free throws.
Virginia's balanced scoring attack was led by Malik Thomas with 16 points, while Thijs De Ridder, Jacari White, and Sam Lewis added 15, 13, and 12 points respectively. Ugonna Onyenso was a defensive powerhouse, recording eight blocks that stymied NC State's inside game.
The Cavaliers dominated the paint with a 30-16 advantage and outpaced the Wolfpack in transition, scoring 15 fast break points to NC State's none. Despite NC State's impressive 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc, Virginia's own 48 percent three-point shooting and 12 made threes proved too much to overcome.
This hard-fought contest highlighted the resilience and talent of both squads, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting continuation of the tournament.