NC State Cruises Past Georgia Tech, 76-61

ATLANTA, Ga. – The NC State men’s basketball team started strong and never looked back in defeating Georgia Tech, 76-61, Tuesday evening inside McCamish Pavilion.

The Pack jumped out to a 10-0 lead barely three minutes into the game. The Yellow Jackets scored on its next possession to get within eight but that is the closest Georgia Tech would get the rest of the game.

NC State led 14-4 at the 14:31 mark of the first half and proceeded to go on another 14-4 run to take a 28-8 lead with 10:16 left in the half.

Georgia Tech would make a mini-run to get within 14 at 30-16, but an 11-2 run gave NC State a 23-point lead, 41-18, with 4:15 to go in the first half.

NC State shot 59.4 percent in the first half and hit eight three-pointers to take a 51-25 lead into the break.

The Pack’s 51 points were the most in a half for NC State this season.

NC State stretched its lead to as many as 30 points in the second half.

Georgia Tech would get within 14 with less than 90 seconds remaining, but never seriously threated NC State in the final 20 minutes.

Terquavion Smith led the Pack with 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting. The Greenville native scored 18 of his 26 points in the first half as his opening 20 minutes were highlighted by two monster dunks.

Smith entered the game with an ACC-best 73 three-pointers and made six more on Tuesday. He is now two three-pointers away from tying for the most by a freshman in program history (Maverick Rowan – 81 in 2015-16).

Dereon Seabron posted his 11th double-double of the season with 14 points with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Jericole Hellems finished with 15 points and Cam Hayes added 14 points off-the-bench.

NC State has a bye this weekend and will return to action Wednesday, Feb. 23 when it hosts Boston College at PNC Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on Regional Sports Networks.