Four Factors | NCSU | FSU |
eFG% | 48.5 | 49.1 |
Turnover Rate | 13.7 |
16.7 |
Off Reb Rate | 36.8 | 41.0 |
FT Rate | 16.2 | 46.4 |
Pts | Poss | OFF_EFF | DEF_EFF | |
FSU | 70 | 65.8 | 106.4 | 112.5 |
NCSU | 74 | 65.8 | 112.5 | 106.4 |
Thanks to a huge first half from T.J. Warren and some clutch contributions from his supporting cast down the stretch, NC State managed to overcome injury and foul trouble to hold off Florida State, 74-70. The Wolfpack managed to control the game for significant portions despite being at an obvious disadvantage in certain respects, finishing +2 in turnovers and staying relatively even on the glass.
Warren had a career night, scoring 30 points on 13-of-21 shooting, including a 3-of-5 effort from three. His jump shot looked as good as it has all season--so good, in fact, that on one occasion he took one dribble to fake a drive into the lane, stepped back, and swished a three. When he can do stuff like that, it's just not fair.
Jordan Vandenberg was limited by fouls but showed up big in another crucial spot for the Wolfpack; he hit both of his field goal attempts, including this dunk off a tough catch with a little over three minutes left:
No question that was a game-altering sequence, like Desmond Lee's three-point play a little over a minute earlier. Lee also came through in the final minute, getting hold of an offensive board and banking it home to give the Pack a four-point lead with about 11 seconds to go.
There were a lot of ways this one could have ended badly for NC State. FSU cooperated, though, as Okaro White hit just half of his six free throw attempts in the final three minutes. It was a tense finish, but this time around, NC State was the team that made the plays when they mattered.