NC State looks to find its shooting range and get back on the winning track when it hosts Texas Southern on Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.
The Wolfpack (3-1) return to the court after a 74-68 loss to Oklahoma State on Wednesday in Uncasville, Conn.
Dereon Seabron led NC State with 19 points, with Jericole Hellems adding 18 and Cam Hayes scoring 16 in the loss. The Wolfpack shot just 30.4 percent from the floor but hit 29 of 35 free throws and clawed back from a 14-point hole to within 68-66 with 33 seconds to play.
NC State was outrebounded 44-39 and outscored 42-24 in the paint by Oklahoma State, which focused on getting inside to take advantage of its size.
“We’ve got to continue to get better,” Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said. “This was similar to what we will get in an ACC game, so it’s a good opportunity for us to learn, especially early in our season.”
NC State plays its next five games at home.
Texas Southern (0-4) heads east for the fifth game of its annual two-month road trip to begin the season. The Tigers’ first 13 games — 11 of them nonconference contests — are on the road.
Texas Southern’s most recent game was a 61-57 loss at Air Force on Wednesday that went down to the final minute. The Tigers led early by as many as 13, gave all that back and more thanks to a seven-minute second half stretch when they went 1 for 9 from the floor, and pulled to within 57-55 before succumbing.
John Walker III led the Tigers with 16 points in the loss while Justin Hopkins and Karl Nicholas added 10 points each. Their other losses this season have come at Oregon, Saint Mary’s and Washington.
Texas Southern coach Johnny Jones said that the extended road trip will give his team a chance to come together and prepare for the Southwestern Athletic Conference gauntlet. The Tigers were picked in the preseason to win the SWAC.
“We certainly look forward to the challenge of playing so many road games,” Jones said. “It’s going to give us an opportunity to jell as a team and become stronger, more focused in preparation for a very tough league schedule.”
–Field Level Media
