NC State Grinds Out Statement Win in Overtime Thriller vs. No. 18 Clemson
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State didn’t just pick up a win Tuesday night - they earned a signature victory that could echo throughout the rest of their ACC campaign. The Wolfpack went into Clemson’s house and walked out with an 80-76 overtime win over the No.
18 Tigers, improving to 13-6 overall and a perfect 3-0 on the road in conference play. And they did it the hard way - through grit, balance, and a whole lot of composure when it mattered most.
Let’s start with Ven-Allen Lubin, who turned in a performance that was both efficient and clutch. The big man poured in a game-high 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting and grabbed six boards, but it was his calm at the line in crunch time that stood out. Lubin went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, including two huge makes in overtime that helped seal the deal.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. NC State got contributions across the board, with four players finishing in double figures.
Darrion Williams added 17 points and quietly filled up the stat sheet with six rebounds, three assists, and - maybe most impressively - zero turnovers. Quadir Copeland was a workhorse, logging 41 minutes and delivering 16 points and a game-high six assists to just one turnover.
Paul McNeil chipped in 10 points to round out a well-rounded offensive attack.
What really stood out about this win wasn’t just the scoring - it was how the Wolfpack responded when things got tight. Late in regulation, NC State went cold from the field, enduring a tough shooting stretch over the final eight minutes that let Clemson claw back and force overtime.
But the Pack didn’t flinch. They locked in at the free-throw line, hitting 16-of-18 in the second half and going a perfect 4-for-4 in the extra period.
In overtime, they got back to executing - going 3-of-6 from the floor while continuing to take care of business at the stripe. That kind of poise, especially in a hostile environment, is the mark of a team that’s figuring out how to win tough games.
Defensively, NC State was active and opportunistic. They forced 13 Clemson turnovers and turned those into 19 points in transition - a key factor in a game where every possession mattered. And even with the late-game shooting struggles, the Wolfpack still managed to average 1.212 points per possession, a testament to their efficiency when they did get clean looks.
This win checks a lot of boxes for NC State. It’s a road win over a ranked opponent.
It’s a confidence-builder in the middle of a tough ACC slate. And maybe most importantly, it’s a sign that this Wolfpack team is starting to hit its stride - with multiple scoring threats, a defense that can create chaos, and the ability to close out high-pressure games.
If they can bottle up that formula - balanced scoring, smart decision-making, and clutch execution - they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the ACC.