Wolfpack tops UNC-G

GREENSBORO -- GREENSBORO -- If N.C. State can learn to finish like it starts, the Wolfpack will be in business.

State jumped out to another big, early lead on Thursday night against UNC-Greensboro but like Tuesday's win over Winthrop, State let up and let a lesser opponent back in the game.

The Wolfpack turned it back on in the second half for a 89-67 win over the Spartans but the pattern of starting quick, hitting a lull and then waiting to turn it back on is a concern.

"We got a big lead and our intensity went down," junior guard Javier Gonzalez said. "We've got to learn to be mentally strong for the whole game."

Overall, the positives of Thursday's win -- breaking the 80-point barrier for the first time, including 57 in the second half, and hitting 10 3-pointers for the second straight game -- out-weighed the mid-half lull, Lowe said.

"It's part of dealing with a young team," Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe said. "To be a good ball club, you have to learn how to win."

For the first time this season, State had four players score in double-figures with Tracy Smith (21 points) leading the charge and Dennis Horner (17), Scott Wood (a season-best 15) and Gonzalez (15) following.

Smith gave Lowe a brief scare in the second half. The junior forward winced in pain and held his back, after appearing to strain it, after hitting a basket at the 4:10 mark in the second half. The game was stopped at 3:46 to sub him out but Lowe said Smith was fine.

State looked like it would spend New Year's Eve in cruise control against the determined but out-manned Spartans (2-10). The Pack led 23-8 after Farnold Degand's 3-pointer at 10:22 in the first half.

Just like Tuesday, when State jumped out to a 32-9 lead, the Pack plateaued and let the Spartans back in the game. Twice UNCG, which is in the middle of a three-game stretch against ACC teams, cut State's lead to three points.

Ben Stywall's free throws at 2:13 made it 27-24 and a layup by Elhanan Bone made it 29-26 at 1:10.

A costly UNCG turnover after a Smith miss, gave State a second chance, which led to a 3-pointer by Gonzalez and a 32-26 Wolfpack advantage.

An 8-0 run by the Pack midway through the second half put the Spartans away for good. After Stywall's jumper cut State's lead to 49-43 at 10:43, the Pack scored eight straight points.

Josh Davis, Horner and Wood hit consecutive jumpers, Wood's from 3 at 9:07 for a 56-43 margin, and Smith followed with a free throw.

Wood finished with five 3-pointers, accounting for all of his points, and State went 10-of-18 from 3.

It was an all-around better effort for State, which shot 17-of-22 from the free-throw line, forced 21 turnovers and won by the biggest margin of the season.

"We're taking a lot of big steps," Horner said.