The Clemson Tigers came into Tuesday night riding high on a nine-game win streak and sitting at 6-0 in ACC play - just one win away from matching the best conference start in program history. But the NC State Wolfpack had other plans, and they delivered in a big way.
In a gritty, back-and-forth battle that needed overtime to settle, NC State pulled off an 80-76 upset that snapped Clemson’s momentum and gave the Wolfpack a much-needed marquee win. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective - and it might just be the turning point this team needed.
NC State Makes It Count in Crunch Time
Despite being outrebounded 38-30 and letting a double-digit lead slip away, NC State found a way to close. That’s been the difference in so many of their close games this season - and Tuesday night, they flipped the script.
The key? Capitalizing on Clemson’s mistakes.
The Wolfpack turned 13 Clemson turnovers into 19 points, a stat that loomed large in a game where every possession mattered. And when it came to free throws - often the silent killer in tight games - NC State was nearly automatic, knocking down 22 of 25 from the line.
That kind of efficiency wins games in March. In this case, it won one in January that could carry postseason implications.
Lubin and Williams Lead the Way
Senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin was the tone-setter all night, pouring in 22 points on an ultra-efficient 9-of-12 shooting. He gave Clemson fits in the paint and was a steady presence throughout. Darrion Williams, meanwhile, didn’t have his best shooting night overall (5-of-17), but he showed up when it counted most.
In overtime, the two seniors combined for seven of NC State’s 11 points, including the shot of the night - a corner three from Williams that gave the Wolfpack a 74-72 lead they wouldn’t surrender. It was a gutsy shot in a high-pressure moment, and it speaks to the confidence this team still has in its veterans, even after a frustrating loss to Georgia Tech just days earlier.
A Win That Could Reshape the Season
Before Tuesday night, NC State was 0-3 against ranked opponents this season. That goose egg is gone - and the win couldn’t have come at a better time.
Clemson hadn’t lost since Dec. 9, and the Tigers had been rolling through the ACC. Taking them down in an overtime thriller isn’t just a résumé booster - it’s a statement.
The Wolfpack now sit at 4-2 in conference play and smack in the middle of the ACC standings. There’s still a long road ahead - including a rematch with No. 14 Virginia and first meetings with other ranked ACC foes - but this win gives NC State something tangible to build on.
As of Tuesday morning, bracket projections had the Wolfpack slotted as a 10-seed. That was before they took down the 16th-ranked team in the country. While one win doesn’t guarantee anything in January, it does give NC State a little more cushion above the bubble - as long as they avoid any more slip-ups.
What’s Next?
The Wolfpack have shown flashes all season, but close losses - three of them by five points or fewer - had kept them from breaking through. Tuesday night might be the turning point. They didn’t just hang with a top-tier opponent; they executed late, hit big shots, and closed the deal.
If NC State can use this as a springboard, the rest of the ACC better take notice. This team has the pieces, the experience, and now, a signature win to prove it can hang with anyone in the league.