Was NC State’s win over Virginia its most complete game? See what Kevin Keatts thinks

N.C. State won at home for the first time in 2022 on Saturday, putting together an impressive performance against one of the best defensive teams in the ACC.

The Wolfpack (10-10, 3-6 ACC) used a hot shooting night to knock off Virginia (11-8, 5-4), 77-63.

N.C. State has fared slightly better on the road in ACC play, but finally let the home fans see what it’s like when the team is clicking.

After the game, head coach Kevin Keatts said the performance was one of the best this season.

“You can make an argument that this was one of our most complete games,” Keatts said. “You think about all the games in the ACC that were very close. But from both ends, offensively and defensively, I thought we did a really good job finishing the game.”

Keatts might have a point.

State has been on the wrong end of heartbreak this season, blowing late leads against Purdue, Louisville (at home) and Florida State.

On Saturday, it shook off a slow start. At one point, UVA scored on seven straight possessions. The Wolfpack answered with a 19-3 run to close the half. The game was tied at 29 when Jericole Hellems hit a three to give N.C. State the lead. The Pack never trailed again.

What Keatts liked most about Saturday was how the team did it on both ends. UVA shot 71.4 percent from three in the first half. The Wolfpack held the Cavaliers to 50 percent from deep in the second half. UVA’s field goal percentage also dropped from 50 (first half) to 34 (second half) percent.

The offense helped as well. The Wolfpack shot a season-high 55 percent from three and were four assists shy of tying a season-high.

“We knew we could compete with anybody in the country on the offensive end,” N.C. State guard Casey Morsell said. “We just had to bring it defensively.”