Making their second-ever appearance in the classic named for their former head coach Jim Valvano, the NC State Wolfpack survived a tough test from the Connecticut Huskies and claimed the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic from Madison Square Garden, 69-65.
No. 25 NC State vs. Connecticut final score: Wolfpack get by UConn at Jimmy V
Despite falling behind UConn by 11 points early in the first half, NC State rebounds and bests the Huskies at the Jimmy V Classic, 69-65.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
No. 25 NC State pulled away late in the second half after UConn kept it close all night behind guard Shabazz Napier, who scored 19 points, and Ryan Boatright, who added 18 points and six rebounds. But it was NC State guard Lorenzo Brown's 16 points and forward C.J. Leslie's 16 points and 13 boards that proved too much for the Huskies to handle late.
Early on, however, the Huskies seemed to be dealing just fine with the Wolfpack's attack as UConn raced out to an 11-point lead early in the first half. NC State responded, pulling back within a few points and taking a lead into halftime from the Garden.
The teams traded scores in the second half before the Wolfpack pulled slightly ahead for good behind Brown and forward Scott Wood, who finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
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