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NC State basketball eliminates Texas Tech to advance in NCAA Tournament
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- NC State basketball eliminates Texas Tech to advance in NCAA Tournament
PITTSBURGH —Four players reached double-digit scoring numbers for 11-seed NC State basketball as the Wolfpack topped 6-seed Texas Tech basketball 80-67 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday night in PPG Paints Arena.
The Wolfpack (23-14) kept pressure on the bigs of Texas Tech (23-11) throughout the night, putting the returning Warren Washington in tough situations to challenge the foot injury he made his return from.
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Ben Middlebrooks led the way with 21 points as the Wolfpack pulled away down the stretch to advance, earning sixth consecutive win, all in postseason play.
NC State's DJ Horne celebrates against Texas Tech's Chance McMillian during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at PPG PAINTS Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
NC State puts Texas Tech in a bind
The Wolfpack had a concerted effort to put the Texas Tech bigs into as much action as possible. Much of Tech's improved defense over the last five games came from help-side attacks, which the Red Raiders were unable to do against the likes of Middlebrooks and DJ Burns, Jr.
Middlebrooks and Burns combined for 22 of NC State's 37 points at halftime (14 from Middlebrooks on multiple three-point plays).
NC State used a 10-0 run in the final four minutes of the half to take a 37-33 lead at the break.
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Joe Toussaint the saving grace
The Red Raiders were stagnant offensively for most of the half with Joe Toussaint being the only real source of scoring.
Playing in the fourth NCAA Tournament of his career, Toussaint didn't seem phased by the stage. He had 13 points, three rebounds and three assists at intermission. This including chasing down a key offensive board and hitting Darrion Williams for a 3-pointer in the corner just before the halftime buzzer to get the deficit to four.
Wolfpack halt Tech's rally
NC State got up by seven early in second half before Texas Tech closed to within two quickly. From there, the Wolfpack went on another run, this one a 12-4 spurt to push the advantage to 10.
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The Wolfpack benefitted from multiple turnovers that led to transition buckets for Mohamed Diarra and Casey Morsell. The lead grew to 12 when Burns finished a sky hook over Warren Washington.
Cold shooting night dooms Red Raiders
The Red Raiders kept themselves in the game for a while, but it was ultimately an ice-cold shooting night that did them in.
Down 12 with 5:26 left, Texas Tech was just 4-of-22 from 3-point range. Pop Isaacs was 1-of-8 from distance, Williams 2-of-6 and Toussaint 1-of-5. The Wolfpack closed off lanes to the basket, forcing the Red Raiders to put up difficult shot attempts from distance.
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What's next?
Oakland, the 14-seed in the South Region, upset 3-seed Kentucky 80-76 in the first game of the night session to advance to Saturday's second round. NC State will face the Golden Grizzlies (24-11) with the winner heading to Dallas for the Sweet 16 next week.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: NC State basketball pulls away from Texas Tech in March Madness
