RALEIGH, N.C. – Dominant scoring runs in both halves propelled NC State to a convincing 72-49 victory over Colgate on a chilly Monday night at the Lenovo Center. The Raiders, struggling to find their rhythm, dropped their third straight contest, leaving them with a disappointing 1-3 overall record. On the other hand, the Wolfpack, fresh off their impressive Final Four run last season, improved to an unblemished 4-0 mark this season.
Nicolas Louis-Jacques was the standout performer for the Raiders, leading the team with nine points. Brady Cummins and Parker Jones both contributed eight points each, showcasing their resilience in a tough matchup. On the glass, defenders Sam Wright and Cummins each secured five rebounds, helping Colgate remain competitive despite the scoreline.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Colgate’s defense set the tone early in the game, and a smooth jumper from Jalen Cox propelled the Raiders to an early 6-2 advantage just four minutes into the action. With contributions from Cummins and Jones, Colgate managed to hold NC State scoreless for nearly three minutes, showcasing their defensive prowess.
- However, a layup in the lane by Brandon Huntley-Hatfield marked the turning point for NC State, which then launched a staggering 17-0 scoring spree. This surge allowed the Wolfpack to seize a commanding 19-6 lead by the time 11:35 remained in the first half.
- Colgate momentarily fought back with back-to-back baskets from Jeff Woodward and Louis-Jacques, narrowing the gap to 19-10. Still, the Wolfpack responded emphatically, sinking three three-pointers in rapid succession, pushing their advantage to a hefty 34-13 with just 3:48 left before halftime.
- Despite generating some quality shot opportunities from beyond the arc, the Raiders faced shooting woes, converting only 2-of-12 attempts in the first half and trailing 40-22 at the break.
- The second half started similarly, but NC State quickly reasserted control with a decisive 10-0 run that expanded their lead to a staggering 63-33 midway through the period, marking their largest lead of the night.
- In a bid to provide experience to all players, Colgate cleared its bench late in the game, allowing all 14 members of the roster to see action. Blake Forrest stood out among the reserves, logging 21 minutes on the floor and finishing with four assists, three rebounds, and three steals while Chandler Baker and Kyle Carlesimo each contributed five points.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Colgate struggled offensively, shooting just 33 percent for the game (21-63) and only managing a woeful 19 percent from three-point territory (5-26). In contrast, NC State demonstrated greater efficiency, finishing with a field goal percentage of 44 percent (24-54) and a three-point shooting clip of 21 percent (3-14).
- The Raiders struggled with ball control, committing 11 turnovers in the first half alone and ultimately finishing with a season-high total of 16 turnovers. This lapse allowed NC State to dominate points off turnovers, outscoring Colgate 17-4 in that category. Although Colgate lost the rebounding battle slightly, 41-37, they managed to outpace NC State in offensive rebounds, securing nine compared to NC State’s five.
UP NEXT
Colgate (1-3) will be looking to bounce back as they travel to Cambridge, Mass., where they will face Harvard on Friday at 7 p.m.
What key changes does Coach O’Connor believe are necessary for the Colgate Raiders to improve their performance after the recent loss?
The break.
**Interview with Coach Matthew O’Connor of the Colgate Raiders**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Coach O’Connor. It was a tough night for the Raiders out there. Can you give us your thoughts on the game?
**Coach O’Connor:** Absolutely, thank you for having me. It was a challenging game for us. We started strong and showed some defensive intensity early on, but unfortunately, when NC State found their rhythm, we struggled to respond. Their scoring run in the first half really shifted the momentum.
**Editor:** You mentioned the strong start. What do you feel contributed to that good defensive start against NC State?
**Coach O’Connor:** Our focus was to disrupt their rhythm, and I think we accomplished that initially. Players like Sam Wright and Brady Cummins really stepped up defensively and forced some tough shots. However, we didn’t maintain that intensity throughout the game, and that’s something we need to address moving forward.
**Editor:** Nicolas Louis-Jacques led the team with nine points tonight. How do you assess his performance and the contributions of the other players like Cummins and Jones?
**Coach O’Connor:** Nicolas has been a reliable scorer for us, and I’m proud of his efforts tonight. Brady and Parker also showed great resilience in a tough matchup. I think their leadership is crucial for us, especially during these challenging times as we look to find our rhythm as a team.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what do you think your team needs to improve on to turn this season around?
**Coach O’Connor:** Consistency is key for us. We need to improve our shooting—only making 2-of-12 from beyond the arc in the first half is unacceptable. We have to work on our offensive execution and not only create better shot opportunities but also convert them. It’s all about building confidence as we head into our next games.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Coach. Best of luck with your next matchup!
**Coach O’Connor:** Thank you! We appreciate the support.
