Wake Forest University
NC State
Deacs Fall Short at NC State, 72-63
1/18/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMBB)
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Despite double-digit performances from Bryant Crawford and Doral Moore, Wake Forest men's basketball fell to NC State, 72-63, Thursday night at PNC Arena.
The Demon Deacons (8-10, 1-5 ACC) held a slight advantage with six minutes to go in the second half but went cold late, allowing the Wolfpack (13-6, 3-3 ACC) to go on an 11-0 run and put the game out of reach.
Crawford finished with 18 points and five assists to become the fifth Demon Deacon, and first-ever junior, to amass 1,200 points and 400 assists in his career. With tonight's performance, Crawford checks in with 1,239 points and exactly 400 assists.
Moore recorded his fifth double-double and ninth double-digit game of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The teams opened the first half by trading baskets and combined for six lead changes in the first five minutes of play. Tied 11-all, the Wolfpack took advantage of a Deacon scoring drought to build up a five-point lead. A layup and a pair of free throws from Crawford allowed the Deacs to pull within one but the Pack went on a quick 8-0 run to take a nine-point lead with nine minutes remaining. However, Brandon Childress netted a layup that was a catalyst for a season-best 15-0 run that tied the game and gave Wake Forest a 32-26 lead with under five minutes to go. The Deacs held on to their lead and took a 38-33 advantage into halftime.
Crawford led the Deacons with 10 points in the first half while Moore had nine.
Coming out of the break, the Wolfpack cut the Deacs' lead to two but the Deacons quickly managed to get the lead back to six on two separate occasions. The Pack chipped away at the lead and used a 5-0 run to take a 48-47 lead with just under 14 minutes to go. From there, NC State either led or the teams were tied until Crawford converted an and-one opportunity followed by a layup from Sarr to give the Deacs a 61-59 lead with under six minutes to go. However, the Demon Deacons went cold late, allowing the Pack to regain a 65-63 lead with two minutes remaining. The Wolfpack then used a late 11-0 run to put the game out of reach for the Demon Deacons, who fell 72-63.
Olivier Sarr set a career-high with nine points to go along with six rebounds. Keyshawn Woods added seven points for the Deacs while Mitchell Wilbekin and Brandon Childress scored six points each for Wake Forest.
Up next, the Demon Deacons will host No. 2 Virginia on Sunday, Jan. 21. Tip from the LJVM Coliseum is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
