Kalib Boone poured in 20 points off the bench and Oklahoma State defeated North Carolina State 74-68 in a foul-infested game Wednesday night in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase at Uncasville, Conn.
Boone scored 10 points in the last 7 1/2 minutes in a game that was without much offensive flow at times.
Rondel Walker had 16 points and Tyreek Smith posted 10 points for Oklahoma State (4-1). They’re also reserves.
Oklahoma State starters accounted for only 18 points.
Dereon Seabron’s 19 points, Jericole Hellems’ 18 points and Cam Hayes’ 16 points paced NC State (3-1). The Wolfpack was bolstered by 29-for-35 shooting on free throws.
NC State nearly wiped out an 11-point hole in the final 4 1/2 minutes. Hellems hit two free throws to close the gap to 68-66 with 33 seconds left and then fouled out before Bryce Williams’ two free throws for the Cowboys.
NC State was hindered by 30.4-percent shooting from the field and 17 turnovers.
Oklahoma State mostly controlled the boards with a 44-39 rebounding advantage.
NC State cut a 13-point deficit to 54-47 in less than 3 1/2 minutes. But the Wolfpack’s next three possessions included two turnovers and a missed shot, while the Cowboys converted three free throws.
Still, NC State found ways to stay within striking distance. But an Oklahoma State possession that included two offensive rebounds doomed the Wolfpack, with Boone finally converting a layup and extending the margin to 62-53 with fewer than three minutes to play.
The next four points came from NC State’s Jaylon Gibson and Hellems with two free throws apiece before Boone’s basket and Walker’s two free throws at the 1:16 mark.
Even in a game that seemed defined by defense, Oklahoma State used a couple of scoring runs that impacted the outcome.
The Cowboys posted the final 12 points of the first half for a 31-25 lead. That stretch included NC State’s scoring drought of more than three minutes.
Oklahoma State went on a 12-2 spurt early in the second half — aided by making four consecutive shots from the field — in building a double-digit lead.
The Cowboys have won each of the three all-time meetings with NC State.
–Field Level Media
