RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State flipped a second-half deficit into a 77-63 win over East Tennessee State on Friday night at the Lenovo Center, riding a double-digit surge and a double-double from Preston Edmead.
Edmead poured in a game-high 20 points, dished a career-best 10 assists without a turnover and capped the decisive run with a steal and layup that put the Wolfpack ahead by five with 10:11 left. Paul McNeil Jr. added 16 points on five threes, Christian Hammond scored 13 off the bench, and Evans finished with eight points, six boards and a pair of blocks.
The Buccaneers led 52-42 with 15:42 remaining after scoring on their first seven second-half possessions. McNeil started the answer with a three, Evans dunked and hit free throws, Eemeli Yalaho tied it at 52, and R.J. Keene II pushed NC State in front before Edmead finished the burst.
ETSU got back within one, but a 9-2 Wolfpack push made it an eight-point game and the Buccaneers never drew closer than seven again. Over the final 15:42, NC State outscored ETSU 35-11. After that early second-half flurry, the Buccaneers made just three of their last 14 shots and committed six giveaways across the last 15 minutes.
The first half was choppy. NC State missed nine of its first 12 shots and trailed 18-10 before a late spurt flipped a deficit into a 29-25 lead with five minutes left before intermission. The Buccaneers still took a one-point edge into the break, setting up the second-half swing.
NC State scored 24 points off turnovers to ETSU’s seven and controlled the glass 33-25. NC State improved to 2-0. ETSU fell to 0-2.
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