NC State Rebounds With Win Over The Citadel In Raleigh

After suffering a narrow 79-73 loss in Alabama to 12th ranked Auburn NC State returned to North Carolina’s state capital and defeated The Citadel.

NC State senior guard Markell Johnson posted his first career triple-double to lead the Pack to an 83-63 win over The Citadel Sunday evening inside PNC Arena. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx

With the win, the Pack improved to 9-3 on the season, while the Bulldogs dropped to 6-6. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx

Johnson scored 11 points, grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and passed out to 10 assists to register the first triple-double of his career. He is third player and the fourth triple-double in NC State history, joining Julius Hodge and former teammate Dennis Smith, Jr. (two times) in recording a triple-double. Johnson's triple-double is the 33rd in ACC history and he becomes the 27th player in conference history to post a triple-double.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx

Johnson is the only ACC player to post a triple-double this season. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx

Five NC State players finished in double figures scoring, led by Devon Daniels with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Daniels also led the Pack with three steals.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx

D.J. Funderburk added 14 points, while C.J. Bryce and Jericole Hellems both scored 13. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx
 
NC State jumped out to a 7-0 lead and after The Citadel cut the lead to 9-5, the Pack responded with a 13-0 run to take a 22-5 lead with 10:37 left in the first half. “according to
https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx
The Citadel never got within single digits the rest of the game.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx
 
The Pack finished with a season-high 50 rebounds as seven different players grabbed at least five rebounds. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx

The Citadel attempted an NC State opponent record and PNC Arena 45 three-point attempts. The Bulldogs hit 14 of them. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/22/mens-basketball-johnsons-triple-double-propels-pack-to-win-over-the-citadel.aspx

While NC State rebounded The Citadel had a setback after their three overtime win over Longwood their previous game.

Junior Kaiden Rice scored 19 second half points and The Citadel basketball team managed to close to within 12 points of NC State in the second half Sunday night, but it was not enough as the Bulldogs fell 83-63 at the hands of the Wolfpack. “according to https://citadelsports.com/news/2019/12/22/basketball-despite-strong-second-half-bulldogs-fall-at-nc-state.aspx

• The Bulldogs had two prime opportunities to cut the lead into single digits, but NC State managed to keep the 'Dogs at bay and came up with a clutch defensive rebound that they turned into two points off a pair of free throws. “according to

• From there, the Pack steadily added to the lead with the final score being set at 83-63 when Chase Graham hit a 3-pointer with 36 seconds remaining.

• The Citadel ended the game shooting 33.8% (23-of-68) from the field, but the Bulldogs out-shot the Pack from long range, converting 14 treys compared to just eight by NC State.

Batiste led the 'Dogs with seven assists, while Davis finished with eight points and seven rebounds. “according to https://citadelsports.com/news/2019/12/22/basketball-despite-strong-second-half-bulldogs-fall-at-nc-state.aspx
 
  NC State will return to action on Sunday December 29th when they host Appalachian State.