N.C. State holds off Virginia Tech’s late rally, wins 73-69
Virginia Tech's Sean Pedulla (3) center, attempts a shot while defended by North Carolina State's Casey Morsell, left, and Greg Gantt during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Gentry]
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Terquavion Smith scored 22 points, Jarkel Joiner added 21 and North Carolina State held back Virginia Tech’s late rally for a 73-69 victory. N.C. State (13-4, 3-3 ACC) has won five of its last six games, including a 24-point win over 16-ranked Duke on Wednesday. A 10-2 surge got Virginia Tech within 67-64 with 47 seconds left and a pair of Sean Pedulla free throws cut the deficit to 71-69 with seven seconds left. Smith made two free throws to seal it. Pedulla scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half to lead Virginia Tech (11-5, 1-4).
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North Carolina State's Terquavion Smith (0) shoots while defended by Virginia Tech's Justyn Mutts (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Gentry
Virginia Tech's Sean Pedulla (3) center, drives toward the basket while defended by North Carolina State's Casey Morsell (14) and Greg Gantt (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Gentry