NC State Basketball Rebounds From Kansas Game With Confident Display
The NC State basketball starters took a couple of minutes to find their rhythm against the visiting Rider Broncs (4-9, 0-2 MAAC) in the Lenovo Center on Saturday afternoon. But once Kevin Keatts' bunch heated up, there was no letting off the gas, as the Wolfpack (8-4, 1-0 ACC) notched a 89-63 victory.
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After Rider jumped out to a 3-0 lead, NC State answered with a fully in-sync 35-8 run before also closing out the half on a tear, entering the break with a 52-23 advantage.
Quick thinking by @RealGupaveli allows for a @coojayy1 triple 🫨 pic.twitter.com/5ftzRzX0Iq
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) December 22, 2024
Keatts employed a slightly deeper rotation in the second half, allowing more bench players a chance to further develop in live action.
Wolfpack senior guard Jayden Taylor recorded a game-high 16 points in only 24 minutes as a starter. He shot 5-for-7 from the field, 3-for-4 from three, and 3-for-5 at the charity stripe, adding two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
As a unit, the Wolfpack shot 55.8 percent from the field, 35.0 percent beyond the arc on 20 attempts, and 24-for-34 at the foul line. And the home team outperformed the visitors in the assist department, 21-9.
State went 7-4 across its now-complete non-conference slate. All but one of the losses came away from home, and two of the defeats were at the hands of ranked opponents, most recently a 75-60 setback at the then-No. 10 Kansas Jayhawks on Dec. 14.
Now, NC State basketball has over a week off before hitting the road to battle the Virginia Cavaliers (7-5, 0-1 ACC) on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at noon ET (ESPN2). Keatts' Wolfpack don't play in Raleigh again until the Notre Dame Fighting Irish arrive on Jan. 8.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.