Darrion Williams scored 28 points and No. 25 North Carolina State fended off a challenge from VCU, winning 85-79 on Monday night in Raleigh, N.C.
Tre Holloman poured in 25 points, Matt Able posted 12 points off the bench and Ven-Allen Lubin had 11 points and nine rebounds as the Wolfpack (4-0) survived their toughest challenge of the season.
Holloman made six pressure free throws in the final 20 seconds. VCU’s final hopes were dashed by a late steal by NC State’s Quadir Copeland.
Barry Evans’ 18 points led the Rams (2-2), while Jadrian Tracey had 16 points and Lazar Djokovic supplied 13 points. VCU made 13 shots from beyond the 3-point arc, but only 14 2-point baskets.
NC State, which entered the national rankings earlier in the day for the first time this season, overcame 17 turnovers.
The Wolfpack, under first-year coach Will Wade, pulled out a victory against a school where Wade once coached.
Williams had four points as NC State used a 6-0 run to bolt to a 71-65 lead, resulting in a VCU timeout with 7:12 left. Yet the Rams were persistent, making enough defensive stops — in part because of the Wolfpack’s giveaways — to pull within 78-76 on Tracey’s 3-point basket with less than two minutes remaining.
The Rams hit enough shots, combined with relentless stretches of offensive rebounding, to stay within range. Tracey’s 3-pointer and Tyrell Ward’s layup off a Wolfpack turnover drew VCU within 61-59 with less than 12 minutes to go. The Rams were even at 63-63 a couple of minutes later.
Williams had 17 points to boost the Wolfpack to a 39-35 halftime lead. But the Rams were right in range despite shooting 30.6% from the floor.
Williams scored eight points in the first three minutes, but was hit with a technical foul for taunting after draining his second 3-point shot. Williams reacted in front of Tracey.
The Wolfpack hit six 3-point shots in barely more than seven minutes, shooting out to a 25-16 lead.
The scoring pace slowed considerably across the latter part of the first half, with NC State managing four points during a nearly six-minute stretch.
