NC State fights off slow start. Takeaways from the Wolfpack’s win over Saint Louis
N.C. State came sauntering on to the court Wednesday at PNC Arena as if ready for an enjoyable, mostly stress-free night.
Wolfpack players casually went through the pregame warmups, smiling, laughing, even doing a little dancing.
And then the game against St. Louis began. The fun ended. It was serious business.
Casey Morsell, D.J. Horne and D.J. Burns would deliver big baskets for the Pack in an 82-70 victory. Morsell had 21 points, Horne 18 and Burns 13 for the Wolfpack.
“I told the guys this would be the toughest team we’ve played at home this year.” NCSU coach Kevin Keatts said.
The Pack (8-3) trailed 36-33 at halftime as the Billkens (7-6) played their game, looking to attack the basket while challenging the Pack at every turn on the defensive end. They were quick, energetic, seemingly comfortable on the Pack’s home floor.
“They threw the first punch on us and we had to respond,” Morsell said.
Keatts likely didn’t mince words at the break. The Pack was better to open the second half. Morsell and Horne buried 3’s and the Pack moved in front 41-38.
But Burns picked up a technical foul — his third personal. Momentum stalled and Burns sat. The Billikens moved back ahead.
Three-pointers by Morsell and Horne, an inside basket from Burns and then another 3 from Horne lifted the Pack ahead for good, although it would be close until the final few minutes. The Pack, pushing the pace, closed with 29 points off turnovers.
“I thought our second half was tremendous,” Keatts said. “We had a 27-9 run. We had 10 assists in the second half.”
After missing all eight of its 3-point shots in the first half, the Pack was 8-of-17 in the second as Morsell and Horne each knocked down four of five from long range.
“I thought we took some questionable ones,” Keatts said. “I thought we forced a couple. We didn’t pass the ball in the first half. When I got the stat sheet and we had three assists, I almost lost my mind. In the second half we made plays for each other and had 10 assists.”
Takeaways from the game
Experience counts
Not every game goes as planned. Sometimes, it’s more about grit and determination than execution.
So it was for the Pack. Many things seemed to be working against the Pack — problems at the foul line, a few missed calls, missed assignments on defense, losing a few 50-50 battles for the ball.
But Morsell was a steady presence for the Pack, his experience evident. Morsell was there when the Pack needed him. So were Burns and Horne while Ben Middlebrooks and Michael O’Connell provided solid minutes off the bench.
Morsell played perhaps his poorest game of the season Saturday in the 79-70 loss to Tennessee. On Wednesday: he had 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, making four of six 3-pointers.
“It was great for Casey to see the ball go back in the hole,” Keatts said.
Need to be better at the line
The Pack came into game 10th in the ACC in free-throw shooting at 71.9% and saw that number dip in the opening half, going 8 of 15 at the line while the Billikens were 11 of 15.
Keatts is one of those coaches who doesn’t like to harp on free throws too much, but realizes the Pack must be better. Close games so often are decided at the line.
By the second half, many Pack fans were groaning at every missed free throw. State finished 11 of 22 at the line. That needs to be better.
Burns takes a beating
Burns takes a beating in every game, Yes, he’s a big. Very big. But it appears referees often give opponents a lot more freedom defending him.
St. Louis’ Bradley Ezewiro, 6-9, 265-pound junior, was the guy pounding on Burns. It was arm in the back, arm in the back, push and shove.
Burns gets a lot of touch fouls. Hard ones, too. It can be hard to maintain composure — thus the technical.
“It’s not fun but I’m getting used to it,” Burns said. “It used to frustrate me a lot but not so much anymore. They (refs) rarely give me an explanation, so you’ve got to just roll with it.”
Burns continued to work, scoring eight of his points in the second half with the assists.
“In the first half I couldn’t throw a rock in the ocean, but I knew it was going to come to me. Just stay consistent,” Burns said.
This story was originally published December 20, 2023 at 9:15 PM.
