NC State Rebounds In Raleigh As Wisconsin Suffers Yet Another Setback

When NC State and Wisconsin returned to action in North Carolina’s state capital both teams were looking to rebound and get back in the win column after suffering setbacks their previous games but it was the team located in North Carolina’s state capital who executed their game plan and got back in the win column.

The NC State men's basketball team (6-2, 0-1 ACC) secured a victory in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge as it defeated the visiting Wisconsin Badgers (4-4), 69-54, Wednesday night inside PNC Arena. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

Sophomore Jericole Hellems' career-high 23 points led all scorers on the floor. Hellems' efficient night set the tone for the Pack as he went 8-for-13 from the floor and 4-for-6 from behind the arc. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

Markell Johnson (12 points) and C.J. Bryce (11 points) joined Hellems in the double-digit scoring column for the Wolfpack. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

After eight quick points for Hellems in the opening three minutes of the second half, NC State hit its stride after the first media timeout. The Pack made four consecutive field goals to take a 58-44 lead with 10:34 remaining in the game. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

NC State's defense held the Badgers to one point in the final six minutes of the game to close out a strong second-half performance. NC State shot 52 percent (13-for-25) from the floor and 50 percent (5-for-10) from three-point range in the second half. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

The Wolfpack took care of the ball, recording only six turnovers in the game, which registers as its new season low. The team forced nine turnovers and held the Badgers to 38 percent shooting from the field and just 22 percent from long range. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

NC State took a 32-30 lead into the break courtesy of a half-court shot by Johnson as time expired. The Pack displayed efficiency on offense over a six-minute stretch in the first half, making eight consecutive field goals in that span. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

While NC State got back in the win column Wisconsin meanwhile suffered yet another setback after losing their previous game to New Mexico.

Aleem Ford led the way with 13 points and seven rebounds, but Wisconsin fell in a 69-54 defeat against NC State at PNC Arena on Wednesday night. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

Kobe King and Nate Reuvers scored 11 points each, but the Badgers (4-4) were unable to earn a road victory in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/12/4/mens-basketball-hellems-career-night-lifts-wolfpack-over-badgers-69-54.aspx

NC State will now turn their attention to preparing for their second Atlantic Coast Conference game of the season when they head to Winston Salem to face Wake Forest Saturday.