Markell Johnson scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half
RALEIGH – The NC State men’s basketball team fell to Georgia Tech Wednesday night inside PNC Arena, 63-61, in its final home game of the season. Markell Johnson’s 17 points and five assists led the Pack.
Johnson’s outing was aided by DJ Funderburk (15 points), Devon Daniels (13 points), and Torin Dorn (12 points), who also pulled down eight rebounds.
NC State drops to 20-10 (8-9) and Georgia Tech moves to 14-17 (6-12) on the season.
The Pack’s second half surge was led by Johnson, posting his ninth double-digit second-half performance (15 points) of the season. The junior shot 50% from long range in the second half (4-for-8).
Dorn nailed a three-pointer with 5.5 seconds left in his final game inside PNC Arena to cap off a 6-0 burst by the Pack over the last minute and a half of the game, grabbing back the lead for the first time since the 12:39 mark in the second half. A quick old-fashioned three-point play by James Bank III with 1.4 seconds remaining claimed the victory for the Yellow Jackets.
Trailing by five with 1:35 left, a Johnson three-pointer early in the shot clock brought the Pack to within two with 1:29 left in the contest, 60-58. Georgia Tech would miss two free throws to extend its three-minute scoring drought.
Georgia Tech pounded the ball in the paint, outscoring NC State in the category 44-24, while the Pack dominated the offensive boards, outrebounding Georgia Tech 16-3, battling for 20 second-chance points compared to the Yellow Jackets’ two points.
Missing seven consecutive shots from the floor over a four-minute span starting at the 8:50 mark of the second half, NC State continued to trail, but kept the game within reach. The Yellow Jackets stretched the lead to eight at the 8:06 mark in the second half (49-44) with a 6-0 run.
Funderburk provided the spark NC State needed in the first half with 12 points, five rebounds, including four offensive boards, and three blocks. The Pack needed a 7-0 run halfway into the opening half to close the gap to one, 18-17, and would close the half on a 10-2 run to take the lead, 33-28.
NC state forced 12 turnovers in the first half.
Georgia Tech was led by James Banks III and Moses Wright, with 19 points and 18 points respectively, while Michael Devoe dished out seven assists.
NC State will close out regular season play at Boston College Sat., March 9 at 2 p.m. The game will be televised on Raycom Sports Network.
