NC State basketball outlasts Oakland in OT to advance in March Madness

 

In a thrilling contest in PPG Paints Arena, the NC State basketball team secured a hard-fought victory over Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Jayden Taylor's clutch 3-pointer in overtime proved pivotal, giving the Wolfpack a 79-73 edge.

Throughout the game, NC State maintained control for the most part, but Oakland staged a resilient comeback, seizing the lead late in the second half. Despite the Golden Grizzlies' efforts, the teams found themselves deadlocked at 66-66 as regulation time expired, pushing the game into overtime.

It was in the extra period where NC State showcased their resilience and determination, ultimately outscoring their opponents to secure the win. DJ Burns, Jr. played a pivotal role for the Wolfpack, delivering an impressive performance with 24 points and 11 rebounds. This victory marks a significant milestone for NC State, propelling them to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015.

In their matchup against Oakland's zone defense, NC State adapted their offensive strategy to rely more heavily on their guards, a tactic they identified as crucial following their previous encounter with Texas Tech. DJ Horne responded to this adjustment early on, making significant contributions to NC State's offensive efforts. He opened the scoring with a fast-break layup off a feed from Michael O'Connell, and accounted for the team's first seven points. However, he was held scoreless for the remainder of the first half.

Stepping up in Horne's absence, DJ Burns, Jr. showcased patience and versatility against Oakland's defensive schemes. He demonstrated adeptness in both passing and finishing, amassing eight points and three rebounds by halftime. Despite NC State's attempts to pull away, Oakland consistently responded, often through successful 3-pointers.

Jack Gohlke, despite facing tight defense from NC State's O'Connell and Casey Morsell, managed to connect on three of his six 3-point attempts in the first half. Additionally, contributions from other players helped keep Oakland competitive, with three players each scoring six points in the opening half.

As the second half commenced, Oakland's Trey Townsend emerged as a potent force, scoring eight consecutive points and eventually tying the game at 42-all with a layup. Both teams then engaged in a barrage of successful 3-point shots, keeping the contest tight and exciting for fans.

As the game reached its climax, the score deadlocked at 66-all with less than a minute remaining. Oakland had connected on 11 3-pointers, with six coming from Gohlke, while NC State had made eight. This sharpshooting from beyond the arc underscored the importance of the 3-pointer in keeping the game tightly contested.