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BASKETBALL

NC State Returns To PNC Arena To Host Little Rock Before Heading To Brooklyn New York To Take On Memphis

The first two games of the Barclays Center were played at Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of the team located in North Carolina’s state capital.

On Saturday afternoon NC State who is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference will conclude the home portion of the Barclays Center Classic when they host Little Rock who is a member of the Sun Belt Conference before heading to Brooklyn New York to conclude the Barclays Center Classic on Thursday against Memphis.

NC State comes into the game with a record of 4-1 while Little Rock comes into the game with a record of 3-2.

As for NC State’s previous game,

They beat Alcorn State,

he NC State men's basketball team (4-1) picked up an 87-64 win over Alcorn State (1-4) on Tuesday night inside James T. Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum.

Devon Daniels led all scorers with 23 points, the most for the junior in a Wolfpack uniform. The performance beat his previous NC State best of 21 points scored in last season's Heritage Game against Western Carolina. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/19/mens-basketball-nc-state-defeats-alcorn-state-87-64.aspx

NC State was efficient from the floor, shooting 54 percent (36-for-67). It marked the first time this season that the team has eclipsed the 50 percent shooting mark. Part of that efficiency came from the team's attack in the paint as it posted 42 points in the lane on Tuesday night. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/19/mens-basketball-nc-state-defeats-alcorn-state-87-64.aspx

Markell Johnson tallied a season-high 16 points to accompany eight assists. The senior guard has now dished out eight or more assists in three of four games played this season. Jericole Hellems added 12 points, and D.J. Funderburk also reached double digits (10 points) on an impressive 5-for-7 shooting. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/19/mens-basketball-nc-state-defeats-alcorn-state-87-64.aspx

Four NC State players pulled down at least five rebounds, marking the fourth time this season the team has done so (Daniels - 5, Manny Bates - 6, C.J. Bryce - 6, Jericole Hellems - 6). “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/19/mens-basketball-nc-state-defeats-alcorn-state-87-64.aspx

The Pack opened the game with an 11-0 lead, holding Alcorn State scoreless for the first 5:30 of the contest. NC State's defensive pressure led to five steals in the opening 11 minutes, which converted to 12 early NC State points. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/19/mens-basketball-nc-state-defeats-alcorn-state-87-64.aspx

The Braves crept back at the end of the first half, pulling within nine points (39-30) with two minutes remaining thanks to a 12-1 run over 3:15, but the Pack took a 44-32 lead into the locker room. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/19/mens-basketball-nc-state-defeats-alcorn-state-87-64.aspx

NC State knocked down three from distance in the first three minutes of the second half to put its lead over 20 points. Alcorn State would get no closer than 17 for the remainder of the game. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/11/19/mens-basketball-nc-state-defeats-alcorn-state-87-64.aspx

Unlike NC State,

Little Rock lost their previous game to NC State’s next opponent in Memphis.

Little Rock raced out to a fast lead on 16th-ranked Memphis, but a 23-6 run by the Tigers gave them a 10 point second half lead. Little Rock was able to pull within two on a pair of occasions but could never get out of the hole, falling to the Tigers 68-58 at the FedEx Forum.Ruot Monyyong and Ben Coupet Jr. each finished with 12 points with Monyyong grabbing nine rebounds and Coupet accounting for seven as the duo each went 5-for-10 from the floor. “according to https://lrtrojans.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-little-rocks-upset-bit-at-16-memphis-falls-short.aspx?path=mbball

• Kamani Johnson snagged his second double-double of the year, finishing with 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds with four assists. But Johnson was frustrated inside, shooting just 2-of-13 from the floor in his 38 minutes. “according to https://lrtrojans.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-little-rocks-upset-bit-at-16-memphis-falls-short.aspx?path=mbball

• Four Trojans played 35 or more minutes in the game, led by 40 from Ben Coupet, 39:42 from Nowell and 38:13 for Kamani Johnson.”according to https://lrtrojans.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-little-rocks-upset-bit-at-16-memphis-falls-short.aspx?path=mbball

• Little Rock falls to 0-8 all-time against the Tigers but in each of the last three years have had a one possession game with less than four minutes to go on Memphis' home court. “according to https://lrtrojans.com/news/2019/11/20/mens-basketball-little-rocks-upset-bit-at-16-memphis-falls-short.aspx?path=mbball

Tip-off is set for 1:00pm from PNC Arena. The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra.