NC State (19-8, 10-4 ACC) put on a clinic against UNC, cruising to an 82-58 victory on Tuesday night. This 24-point triumph marks the Wolfpack's most decisive win in this storied rivalry since the 1961-62 season.
Senior guard Quadir Copeland was nothing short of spectacular, racking up 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals without a single turnover. Freshman guard Matt Able also made waves off the bench, pouring in a career-high 19 points.
The Wolfpack showcased a well-rounded offensive effort with contributions from senior forward Darrion Williams, who added 13 points, and senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin, who chipped in 12 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Paul McNeil rounded out the scoring with 10 points and seven boards.
Despite facing adversity with injuries, including Holloman going down on the first play, Williams needing stitches, and freshman forward Musa Sagnia turning an ankle, the Wolfpack's resilience shone through.
Defensively, NC State was relentless, holding UNC to a mere 32 percent shooting from the field and a frigid 15 percent from beyond the arc. The Pack capitalized on 12 UNC turnovers, converting them into 16 points.
Next up, NC State heads to No. 14 Virginia on Tuesday, seeking redemption for a previous 76-61 loss to the Cavaliers earlier this season.
Before looking ahead, fans can relive the Wolfpack's dominant performance against the Tar Heels through the condensed game highlights from the ACC Digital Network.