NC State Tops Harvard To Advance To The Quarterfinals Of The NIT

Survive and advance that is what March is about even if you’re in the National Invitational Tournament.

The NC State men's basketball team defeated Harvard 78-77 Sunday night at James T. Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx

The win advances the Pack to the NIT quarterfinals where it will meet Lipscomb on Wednesday evening. The game is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. inside Reynolds Coliseum. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx

Displaying a balanced scoring attack, NC State had five players record double digits. C.J. Bryce and Devon Daniels led the way with 16 and 14 points respectively. Markell Johnson (13), Braxton Beverly (10), and Torin Dorn (10) rounded out double-figure scoring. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
With the Pack up two in the final seconds, Beverly forced a crucial turnover to give NC State possession. Bryce calmly knocked down two free throws after being fouled to give the Pack a four point lead with 7.1 seconds to play. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
Rio Haskett's banked-in a running three-pointer to pull the Crimson within one with 2.5 seconds remaining, but on the ensuing in-bounds play Harvard could not reach Johnson to foul him and he was able to dribble the clock out. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
NC State's defensive prowess proved the deciding factor in the contest, as NC State created 23 points on 17 Harvard turnovers. Tying its season low in the turnover category, the Pack took care of the ball, recording only seven turnovers. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
Attacking the glass in the second half after being outrebounded 20-11 in the first half, NC State earned 14 second-chance points on 13 offensive boards in the final 20 minutes. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
The game was tied at 61 with 8:53 to go, but the Pack scored seven of the next nine points to take a 68-63 lead on a Daniels lay-up with 5:15. Harvard would cut the lead to one point multiple times in the final minutes, but could never even the score again.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
Beverly led the way for the team in the second half, scoring all 10 of his points in the final 20 minutes. After sitting out all but five minutes in the first half with two fouls, Johnson came alive in the second half with eight points in the first four and a half minutes.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
Harvard held a 39-38 lead at the break, but never led by more than two points in the second half as a majority of the final 20 minutes was played with the score at a one possession game. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx

The game ended with 15 lead changes and nine ties.  “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx
 
Noah Kirkwood and Bryce Aiken recorded 19 points to lead the Crimson in scoring.”according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx

The Pack moves to 24-11 and Harvard finishes its season at 19-12. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-pack-downs-harvard-78-77-advances-to-nit-quarterfinals.aspx