ACC Basketball Recap: NC State 82, Virginia Tech 73 — Game recap (Feb. 7, 2026)

The takeaway: The NC State Wolfpack extended their longest Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season winning streak in over five decades with an 82–73 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday in Raleigh. Behind balanced scoring and a dominant first half, State kept control even as Virginia Tech chipped away in the second half. Quadir Copeland and Paul McNeil Jr. each poured in 21 points and led the Pack through key stretches, while Tre Holloman and Ven-Allen Lubin provided timely support. (Reuters)

Score & line

• Final: NC State 82, Virginia Tech 73 (Halftime: NC State 36, Virginia Tech 24). (ESPN.com)
• Records after the game: NC State 18–6 (9–2 ACC); Virginia Tech 16–8 (5–6 ACC). (Reuters)

Key stats

• NC State: 28-61 FG (45.9%), 9-20 3PT (45.0%), 17-24 FT (70.8%), 34 rebounds, 16 assists, 15 turnovers. Quadir Copeland had a 10-assist double-double for the Wolfpack and also tied with teammate McNeil for team scoring. (ESPN.com)
• Virginia Tech: 29-65 FG (44.6%), 7-25 3PT (28.0%), 8-14 FT (57.1%), 31 rebounds, 14 assists, 15 turnovers. Hokies big man Tobi Lawal posted a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double, but Tech couldn’t sustain consistent scoring. (ESPN.com)

Top performances:

• Quadir Copeland (NC State): 21 points, 10 assists, 5 steals — tied his career high in assists and added disruptive defense. (ESPN.com)
• Paul McNeil Jr. (NC State): 21 points — drilled four long balls and hit 7-of-8 free throws to keep State ahead in crunch time. (ESPN.com)
• Tre Holloman (NC State): 16 points — hit three triples and provided energy on both ends. (ESPN.com)
• Ven-Allen Lubin (NC State): 11 points, 7 rebounds — anchored the paint and cleaned the glass. (ESPN.com)
• Amani Hansberry (Virginia Tech): 19 points, 7 rebounds — paced the Hokies’ offense. (ESPN.com)
• Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech): 14 points — efficient night with multiple made triples. (ESPN.com)

Game flow — the moments that mattered

• Early dominance: NC State jumped out to a 20-7 lead early in the first half, forcing Virginia Tech into tough contested shots while feeding the ball inside and hitting open perimeter looks. The Wolfpack’s pressure on defense limited Tech’s early offensive rhythm and led to transition opportunities. (Reddit)
• First half surge: An 11-0 NC State run bridging the late first period pushed the advantage to double digits before the break, and the Pack took a 36–24 lead into halftime. Their length and depth contributed to turnovers and open shots. (ESPN.com)
• Second half fight: Virginia Tech responded in the second frame with a 12-2 run that trimmed the deficit to 54–51 with about 11:20 left, energizing the Hokies’ bench and crowd. Virginia Tech’s inside scoring, led by Lawal and Hansberry, forced NC State to make timely decisions. (ESPN.com)
• Answer and control: The Wolfpack countered immediately with a 10-1 run, keyed by Copeland’s playmaking and McNeil’s timely scoring, restoring a double-digit lead. From that point, NC State maintained separation as they guarded the lead with pressure defense and efficient offense. (ESPN.com)

Player & coaching notes

• Copeland’s two-way impact: Quadir Copeland’s stat line — 21 points, 10 assists and five steals — showcased his complete game on a stage where ball security and playmaking mattered. His ability to generate offense directly and through assists was crucial during NC State’s runs. (ESPN.com)
• McNeil’s clutch shooting: Paul McNeil Jr.’s scoring — including four three-pointers and near-perfect free-throw shooting — kept the Wolfpack ahead when Virginia Tech trimmed the lead. His veteran poise down the stretch was a steadying influence. (ESPN.com)
• Depth pays dividends: Tre Holloman and Ven-Allen Lubin gave complementary scoring and rebounding as starters rested, keeping momentum on State’s side. Coach Will Wade’s rotations balanced offensive threats with defensive assignments. (ESPN.com)
• Virginia Tech fight: Amani Hansberry and Tobi Lawal provided consistent scoring and toughness on the boards for the Hokies. Despite poor three-point accuracy and turnovers, they stayed competitive and forced NC State to earn each point in the second half. (TechSideline.com)

Why NC State won

• Balanced attack: With two players scoring 21 points and multiple others in double digits, NC State’s scoring load prevented Virginia Tech from keying on a single threat. (ESPN.com)
• Transition and early runs: Building a significant first-half lead with a flurry of scoring runs put the Hokies in catch-up mode and forced them into hurried offensive possessions. (Reddit)
• Clutch responses: Every time Virginia Tech threatened in the second half, NC State answered with timely scoring or defensive stops that halted momentum. (ESPN.com)

Quick look ahead

The Wolfpack will hit the road next for a marquee ACC matchup at No. 24 Louisville on Monday night, aiming to extend their win streak further and solidify their NCAA Tournament positioning. Virginia Tech faces a tough road test at No. 20 Clemson in its next game, looking to rebound from back-to-back losses. (ESPN.com)