RALEIGH, N.C. – Zaire O’Neil led Georgia Tech with 19 points Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough as NC State took a 56-43 decision in Reynolds Coliseum. With the loss, the Jackets dropped to 12-6 overall and 1-4 in league play.
How It Happened
NC State closed the second quarter mirroring the first, hitting a triple with less than 15 seconds left. The Wolfpack opened the game taking the early lead before Kierra Fletcher ignited a 7-0 run as the Jackets snagged their first lead and held an 8-5 advantage at the first media break. NCSU closed the first frame with a 5-1 spurt to lead 10-9 at the break, but the lead was short-lived as the Jackets opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run to take its largest lead of the game, 18-10 with 5:19 to play.
The Wolfpack would respond with a 30-10 run spanning halftime into the third quarter and led 40-28 at the third media break at 2:52. NCSU shot 64.3 percent in the third frame to take its largest lead of 14 points, 44-30, at 2:10 before Zaire O’Neil hit back-to-back buckets to close the frame with NCSU leading 44-34. Trailing 49-36 at the final media break of the game, Kierra Fletcher hit consecutive layups to close the Jackets within single digits, 49-40, with 3:06 on the clock. The Wolfpack would hit two treys and a free throw to close the game and take the win.
Tech Tidbits
* Tech shot 34.0 percent (18-53) from the field, 14.3 percent (1-7) from three-point range and 60.0 percent (6-10) from the free throw line
* NCSU shot 33.3 percent (21-63) from the field and was led in scoring by Kiara Leslie with 14 points
* The Wolfpack won the rebounding battle, 43-37
* Zaire O’Neil led the Jackets offensively with 19 points
Next Up
The Jackets close this two-game road swing visiting Pittsburgh on Sunday, Jan. 14 for a 2 p.m. tip on ACC Network Extra.
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