Georgia Tech stuns NC State, puts a dent in the Wolfpack’s NCAA tournament plans
It was the perfect senior moment for Torin Dorn but it happened too soon.
Dorn’s 3-pointer, with 6.1 seconds, gave N.C. State a one-point lead over Georgia Tech on “Senior Night.” Then the Yellow Jackets spoiled the ending.
James Banks’ three-point play with 1.0 second left gave Georgia Tech a stunning 63-61 road win over the Wolfpack and put a serious dent into Dorn’s senior celebration and the Wolfpack’s NCAA tournament chances.
“It seemed like a fitting ending but we didn’t get that stop finish it off,” Dorn said. “It happens like that sometimes.”
Dorn (12 points, eight rebounds) shook off a poor shooting night (5 of 17) to bury a his only 3-pointer to give N.C. State (20-10, 8-9 ACC)a 61-60 lead. N.C. State didn’t have many answers for Georgia Tech’s zone or the Yellow Jackets’ bigs.
Banks had 19 points and Raleigh’s Moses Wright added 18 points, including a key 3-pointer — Georgia Tech’s only 3 — midway through the second half.
Dorn’s 3 came just a smidge too early. With 6.1 seconds to maneuver, Georgia Tech (14-17, 6-12) coach Josh Pastner was able to draw up a play to spring point guard Jose Alvarado free off of a Banks’ screen and give Alvarado a running start.
“He drove and dumped it off,” N.C. State guard Markell Johnson said. “It was a simple play.”
C.J. Bryce was able to get a last-second 3-point attempt off, from the top of the key, but the shot hit the back of the rim.
N.C. State led 33-28 at the half but had no counter but couldn’t conjure up many simple plays in the second half against Georgia Tech’s stingy zone. Johnson led the way with 17 points and D.J. Funderburk added 15 but the sophomore forward fouled out with 5:17 left in the second half.
With Banks guarding the rim (five blocks), the Jackets were able to force N.C. State to settle for jumpers. N.C. State went 8 of 35 from the 3-point line.
With Braxton Beverly (0-8) and C.J. Bryce (1-8) off the mark, that was a problem for the Wolfpack.
“We can’t have C.J. Bryce and Braxton Beverly go 1 for 16, especially when a team is playing zone,” N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts said. “Usually, they shoot the ball a lot better than that. When those two guys are not making plays, it’s going to be a long night for us.”
The loss is a head-scratcher for the Wolfpack, which has lost three straight in Raleigh to Georgia Tech, but not completely unexpected. Keatts said he did not like the way his team practiced before Wednesday’s late tipoff.
“Coming into this game, I was a little concerned because the last couple of days I didn’t think we practiced well,” Keatts said. “It’s unfortunate because we had a great opportunity here.”
A win wasn’t going to clinch an at-large berth for the Wolfpack but the loss does hurt its cause. The only game left on the regular-season schedule is a trip to Boston College on Saturday.
That might not help that much, either. N.C. State’s next best chance is most likely going to be in Charlotte at the ACC tournament.
The Wolfpack will play in the No. 8-9 game on Wednesday at noon. It will be against Clemson. The only question is which team will be the No. 8 seed and which one will be the No. 9 seed.
The outcome could determine the NCAA fate of each team.
That game can wait. N.C. State wasn’t in the mood to look ahead after Wednesday’s disappointment.
“It’s a tough loss,” Johnson said. “Right now, we just have to prepare for the next game. That’s it.”
This story was originally published March 6, 2019 at 11:02 PM.
