Jack Clark scored 21 points and NC State remained unbeaten with a solid defensive effort in Saturday’s 74-63 win over visiting Elon in Raleigh, N.C.
Terquavion Smith added 16 points and Casey Morsell posted 15 points for the Wolfpack (4-0).
Elon shot 38.3 percent from the field and missed 17 of its 24 shots from 3-point distance, hurting its chances to pull an upset.
Torrence Watson’s 20 points led the Phoenix (1-4), who have lost four straight since a season-opening win against Division II Erskine. Max Mackinnon added 11 points and Sean Halloran had nine points and six assists. Watson sank 4 of 7 shots from 3-point range and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
NC State ended its four-game homestand. Next up is defending national champion Kansas in the Battle for Atlantis on Wednesday.
Four Wolfpack starters connected on at least one 3-point shot, led by Smith with four. Even with that production they were held far below their average of 93 points per game through the first three contests.
Clark was 9 of 18 from the field with three 3-pointers to go with nine rebounds. NC State attempted just six free throws and had only 14 assists on its 29 field goals.
Dusan Mahorcic’s nine points and 13 rebounds gave NC State a boost. Wolfpack reserves combined for only six points on 1-of-12 shooting.
Elon was within 58-53 before Morsell’s 3-pointer with about seven minutes to play. Watson’s 3 and Zac Ervin’s layup kept the Phoenix in range at 63-58.
The Wolfpack built the lead back to double digits at 69-59 on Morsell’s jumper with 2:48 to play.
NC State led 37-27 at halftime. Morsell scored the team’s last five points of the half, including a 3-pointer right before the buzzer.
–Field Level Media
