NC State snaps losing streak, wins first ACC game with victory at Virginia Tech

Calling a contest a game of runs is cliche. But that’s exactly what happened between N.C. State and Virginia Tech Tuesday night.

Both teams came into Cassell Coliseum looking for that first ACC win. Both squads took turns establishing dominance, with double-digit runs to pull ahead. But the Wolfpack snapped a five-game losing streak by doing something it’s avoided all season — finishing a game strong.

Behind another double-double from Dereon Seabron (21 points, 10 rebounds), N.C. State knocked off Virginia Tech, 68-63.

“What a great road win for our team,” head coach Kevin Keatts said. “When you look at our previous three ACC games, we’ve been right there to win those games, we just haven’t been able to close out games.”

The Hokies (8-6, 0-3) closed the first half on a 14-0 run. The Pack (8-7, 1-3) countered with a 18-2 run in the second half. It all boiled down to which team could close things out to get its first league victory.

Virginia Tech’s final run, this time 9-0, got the Hokies back in the game. But for the first time, the Pack didn’t fold.

“You can tell our guys were sick of losing games at the end,” Keatts said. “We found a way to win. We took a punch and then we punched back.”

Seabron’s two free throws put State up three, 62-59, with 2:17 remaining. Virginia Tech missed a 3 to tie it and Seabron did what he does best, scored in the paint. Keve Aluma missed two from the line for the Hokies with 1:09 remaining, appearing for once, something good was going to happen for the Pack.

The Wolfpack basketball team has given fans some hope, with fast starts and moments when they are brilliant. But far too often that brilliance is overshadowed by a mental letdown and ultimately a loss. Wolfpack Nation wanted to believe things would end well. Until the team showed them something different, even the most loyal fan wouldn’t believe it until they saw it.

Now they’ve seen it.

“I’m proud of those guys in the locker room,” Keatts said. “They caught a lot of flack the last couple of weeks. Obviously, I don’t think they deserved it because we played hard and we’ve been in every game.”

A positive sign for N.C. State in the second half was getting a good stretch from Terquavion Smith, Jericole Hellems and Seabron on the offensive end. The three most consistent players have rarely all had a good game on the same night. When the Pack needed a spark, the trio scored all 18 during the big N.C. State run. Hellems, one of two seniors, had eight of the 18 during the span. The big three combined for 53 points on the night when Kevin Keatts needed them the most.

“All three of them made great plays,” Keatts said. “Those three guys have carried us the entire year, all three of those guys stepped up in critical moments of the game and made huge plays for us and we needed it.”

Smith (17 points) scored in double digits for the eighth straight game. Hellems (15) had his 51st career game with 10 points or more.

Seabron, who had his ninth double-double, closed out the game with four points in the final two minutes, including a huge putback after a Pack miss.

WORD OF THE DAY

Virginia Tech took a one-point lead with 4:54 remaining in the game. It almost felt like ‘here we go again’ for N.C. State.

In each of their previous three ACC games, the Wolfpack led late, only to have the momentum, and win, snatched away. In the critical moments against the Hokies, it felt like it was about to happen again.

With the game hanging in the balance, N.C. State found a way to learn from the mistakes in the previous defeats. It all started with a simple word — relentless.

“Everytime it got close we just kept saying that word,” Seabron said. “We just knew we weren’t about to give this game away.”

After film review on Monday night, Keatts encouraged his team to find a word to take on. He got the idea from strength and conditioning coach Pat Murphy. The word the team landed on was relentless.

“I told the guys when things are good I want you to say that word to yourself,” Keatts explained. “When things are bad I want you to say that word to yourself. Honestly, tonight I thought they were relentless. We refused to lose.”

Seabron, who scored six of the final eight points, knew he had to do whatever it took to close out the game and get a win. When it got tight, he remembered what it was like the previous three league games. He didn’t want to return to Raleigh with that same feeling.

“The only goal I had was to do what I had to do to get the win,” Seabron said. “Every game is going to come down to a possession. We knew we couldn’t have slip ups on the little things like missing block outs and turning the ball over.”

Seabron had a block out for an offensive rebound that led to a basket with 22 seconds left to put the Pack ahead by seven.

“I definitely had to make sure I boxed him out,” Seabron said. “That’s been our emphasis throughout conference play, hitting guys and getting rebounds.”

ROSS STAYED READY

The stat line by freshman Ernest Ross might not jump off the page — four points, three rebounds, 15 minutes of action — but his contribution was huge.

Ross, who didn’t play at all against Florida State, had a basket to put the Pack up, 66-59, late. That came after an offensive rebound for Ross off a Seabron miss.

Earlier in the game, Ross had a highlight reel dunk that got the team energized. The rookie forward from Alachua, Fla. has had an up and down start to his career. He has three ‘did not play’ credits on his resume. His previous high in minutes were 12 against Miami, when he scored a season-high five points. But the flashes were there and when State needed a bucket, Ross (6-9, 190) was ready.

“Everyday I just keep working,” Ross said. “Following the coaches instructions, just listening, taking in all the things I need to do to get on the court and help my team win.”

Ross might be seeing an increase in time as the season goes on. Sophomores Ebenezer Dowuona and Jaylon Gibson have rotated in the post most of the year. Against Florida State, the duo had zero points. As Ross gets better adjusted to the college game, he could start to steal minutes. He’s found a way to keep himself ready mentally.

“I just stay focused,” Ross said. “I just listen to my teammates and do what I usually do. I come in with the energy, run the floor, get rebounds, I’m just that type of guy to do what I have to do.”

This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 9:02 PM.

Jonas E. Pope IV

The News & Observer

919-829-8911

Sports reporter Jonas Pope IV has covered college recruiting, high school sports, NC Central, NC State and the ACC for The Herald-Sun and The News & Observer.