WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Paul McNeil Jr. scored 28 points and knocked down six 3-pointers as N.C. State pulled away in the second half for a 96-78 win over Wake Forest on Saturday.
McNeil shot 8 of 12 from the field, went 6 of 8 from behind the arc, and was 6-for-6 from the free-throw line for the Wolfpack (16-6, 7-2 ACC). N.C. State shot 54% overall and 57% from 3-point range, building a 49-31 halftime lead in a game that was moved up more than two hours due to weather.
Wake Forest opened the second half with a brief surge, trimming the deficit to 52-40 on a 3-pointer by Myles Colvin at the 17:18 mark. Darrion Williams hit a 3-pointer less than a minute later, though, and McNeil followed with a deep 3 of his own to help push the lead back to 18.
The Demon Deacons cut it to 62-54 midway through the half after another 3 from Juke Harris, but McNeil answered again. He buried a 26-foot jumper with 9:48 remaining, then added free throws and a layup during a 12-3 run that ended any threat. N.C. State led by at least 13 the rest of the way.
Williams finished with 20 points, Ven-Allen Lubin added 12 points and eight rebounds, and Tre Holloman dished out 10 assists for the Wolfpack.
Harris scored 31 points for Wake Forest (11-11, 2-7) in the final Big Four matchup of the season for the Demon Deacons. Omaha Biliew scored 12 points.
Up next
N.C. State travels to SMU this Tuesday.
