Pack pummels Pirates, 85-65, with strong second half

N.C. State shot 67 percent after the break

For much of the first half, it was a see saw affair between East Carolina and NC State.

The Pirates (2-1) led 23-22 with under six minutes remaining in the opening 20 minutes, but the Wolfpack took advantage of several ECU turnovers in the waning minutes of the half to close with a 15-6 spurt that put it up 37-29 at the break.

The Pack (2-0) picked up where they left off and nearly doubled the score on East Carolina in the first eight minutes after halftime. Following a 42-10 run, NC State found itself up 64-33 and from there was able to place it on cruise control.

After shooting just over 40 percent in the first half, the Wolfpack shot a sizzling 66.7% (18-of-27) after the break and finished the contest at 52.5% despite shooting just 1-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Freshman Lorenzo Brown had 16 points to pace five Pack players in double figures. Sophomore center DeShawn Painter posted a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds.

East Carolina shot just under 40 percent (39.6%) for the game. That combined with an 18-of-30 effort from the charity stripe and 20 turnovers abruptly turned the tide in this contest.

Corvonn Gaines, Brock Young and Rob Sampson scored in double figures for the Pirates. Gaines finished with 11 after going 6-of-6 from the line. Senior point guard Brock Young, who was questionable for the game, scored 10 points in 21 minutes. He also dished out three assists. Freshman Rob Sampson tallied ten points and six rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench.

The Pirates will continue play in the Charleston Classic on Friday evening at 8:30 when they play in-state rival Charlotte. The game will be televised on MASN.

CUSA-fans.com will post a preview of this contest later today.