Instant observations: NC State returns to win column as it downs UNC Asheville

by: Noah Fleischman12/06/25fleischman_noah

Dec 6, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able (3) dribbles the ball against UNC Asheville Bulldogs guard Corey Jones (24) during the first half of the game at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

NC State left the Maui Invitational disappointed with a 1-2 effort. It also boarded its chartered jet in Auburn on Wednesday with the same feeling as it dropped the ACC-SEC Challenge, despite attempting 20 more shots than the Tigers. And, although it found the win column for just the second time in the last five games in a 75-63 victory over UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon, the Wolfpack’s mood likely didn’t change much after watching the sloppy first 20 minutes. NC State’s offense was inconsistent in the first half, but it was able to surge back with a much-improved second half behind a 63 percent shooting clip down the stretch to down UNC Asheville, which shot 34.5 percent in the final frame. Senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin led the Pack with 23 points and 12 rebounds en route to his second double-double of the season, while freshman guard Matt Able and senior guard Quadir Copeland chipped in with 13 points each. Here are TheWolfpacker.com’s observations from the team's sixth win of the 2025-26 campaign.