Advertisement

NC State basketball needs four overtimes, but holds on to beat Nebraska, 104-100

If you’re a fan of free basketball, PNC was the place to be.

Three hours after the tip, N.C. State and Nebraska finally concluded the ACC-Big Ten Challenge game. The real challenge, as it turned out, was finding someone who wanted to win.

In the end it took not one, not two, not even three, but four overtimes to settle this one. Almost out of able bodies, Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts went deep into his bench and needed every guy available to beat the Cornhuskers, 104-100.

Sophomore guard Dereon Seabron scored a career-high 39 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, also a career high.

In one of the craziest second halves ever in PNC, N.C. State trailed by double-digits, a fight almost broke out and the Wolfpack faithful had a reason to come alive finally.

Seabron, who played 57 minutes, got some help in the fourth overtime from Nebraska transfer Thomas Allen and freshman guard Terquavion Smith.

Allen’s offensive rebound and layup put the Pack ahead four with 2:29 remaining, giving the home team the separation it needed from the feisty Huskers. Smith, who struggled all even shooting the ball, started the fourth overtime with a long 3, firing up the crowd.

N.C. State never trailed the rest of the way, ending a marathon evening of basketball that included ejections, multiple players fouling out and one clutch shot after another.

Nebraska had a chance to put the Pack away in regulation, going up 14. But N.C. State eventually used a 14-0 run to tie the score and that was just the beginning of a wild night. Jericole Hellems fouled out in the third overtime. Casey Morsell left with an injury in the end of regulation. That left Kevin Keatts with two freshmen — Breon Pass and Smith — along with Thomas Allen, who didn’t see any action until the extra periods, and Ebenezer Dowuona.

That five was enough to hold off Nebraska and improve to 6-1 overall. N.C. State has now won 28 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents, but none more dramatic than this one.

Eight players scored in double figures, seven fouled out and four more were ejected.

Here’s what we learned:

ROSS THE ANSWER?

As N.C. State struggles to get any consistency from the post this year, it appears that Ernest Ross might be the answer, or at least a better project until Manny Bates returns next season. Ross (6-9, 190 pounds) doesn’t have the bulk of Jaylon Gibson or Ebenezer Dowuona, but the freshman scored his first points of the season on Wednesday and brought some energy on the boards.

Ross clearly has the athleticism, and it appears he can be some help to the team once he gets it together and adjusts to the collegiate level.

AND YET DOWUONA GETS IT ON DEFENSE

Although he’s no Manny Bates, the best shot blocker in the ACC the past two seasons, Dowuona has proven to be somewhat of a rim protector. After a career-high six blocks against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Dowuona had eight against Nebraska. He had two early in the second half, sending a message after the Cornhuskers constantly attacked the basket in the first half.

TEAMS SHOWED SOME ‘FIGHT’

This one was chippy from the start, but it really boiled over in the final six minutes. After a corner 3 from Jericole Hellems, a scrum broke out in front of the N.C. State bench. In the end, three Nebraska players, including starter Lat Mayen, were ejected. Cam Hayes of N.C. State was also ejected.

SEABRON DOWN

N.C. State’s leading scorer Seabron went down with a knee injury with 8:46 remaining in the game. Seabron collided with C.J. Wilcher as he caught the ball in front of the Wolfpack bench. Seabron, who leads the team with 18.8 points per game, briefly went to the locker room area before returning to the bench. He eventually returned to the game and finished with 39 points.

ACC TEST COMING NEXT

In three days N.C. State will play its first ACC opponent. Louisville visits PNC Arena on Saturday in the ACC opener for both teams. The Cardinals have won the last two games against the Wolfpack. N.C. State is 4-1 in ACC openers under Keatts.

N.C. State’s Dereon Seabron (1) shoots while Nebraska’s Derrick Walker (13) defends during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Nebraska at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
N.C. State’s Dereon Seabron (1) shoots while Nebraska’s Derrick Walker (13) defends during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Nebraska at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, December 1, 2021.