NC State can’t complete comback in Brooklyn, falls 83-78 to Memphis

I’m not angry, just disappointed. NC State is much better than it showed in the first half as it allowed Memphis to roll up 55 points, and I’m not surprised that the Wolfpack turned things around in the second half. But State couldn’t make key plays down the stretch to complete the turnaround and suffered a frustrating loss as a result.

Give Memphis credit for playing lights out for stretches of the first half—the Tigers posted an effective field goal percentage well above 70 over the first 20 minutes, and what had been an average three-point shooting team made 6-7 to start. These are the maddening stabs of randomness that can happen in any given game.

That half allowed Memphis to keep State at arm’s length for a lot of the second half despite cooling substantially from the field. The Wolfpack nearly made this comeback work with its advantages in shooting percentage and turnovers but couldn’t bring this home mainly because it didn’t shoot the ball well during the second half, just better than Memphis.

The Tigers won the rebounding battle decisively and were unusually accurate both from three and the free throw line. I wouldn’t exactly call it an inspired defensive performance by State, but plenty of Memphis’ success was outside of the Pack’s control.

State will be off until Wednesday when Wisconsin comes to Raleigh. Kinda really need to get that one.