NC State basketball pulls out 'gritty' win over Campbell, 73-67

NC State basketball coach Kevin Keatts was smiling bright even after his team escaped a pesky Campbell squad with a 73-67 win at PNC Arena in Raleigh. That’s because despite the close call, Keatts found a lot to like in the victory.

“It was a gritty win for us,” Keatts noted.

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Campbell utilizes a unique style, running a deliberate pace with a Princeton-style offense that incorporates backdoor cuts and a smaller lineup to create matchup problems. The Camels added pressure to the NC State defense by making the first six three-pointers attempted, and for the game shot 10 of 18 beyond the arc.

“The reason why I scheduled them was because they were a unique offensive team,” Keatts noted. “They would make you guard for 30 seconds. I thought they came in with a complete, great game plan. They did a tremendous job.”

The Camels’ struggles at the free throw line, 7 of 18, helped NC State preserve a lead for the final 24:35 of the game, but the Wolfpack was never able to put Campbell away.

NC State took an 8-point lead at 45-37 with 17:38 to go only to have the Camels go on an 8-2 run to answer.

Senior NC State guard Casey Morsell made a trio of free throws to put the Pack up 55-46 with 11:15 remaining. After the teams traded basket, Wolfpack super senior guard Jarkel Joiner missed a three-pointer that could have given NC State a double-digit lead with 9:34 to go.

Campbell then went on an 8-1 run.

When Joiner made a layup to give the Pack a 65-58 advantage with 5:06 remaining, Campbell would go on an 8-2 run to get back to within two points. That’s when Joiner made the first of a pair of clutch shots. His stepback baseline jumper with 1:20 left put NC State up 69-65.

A driving score from Campbell’s Anthony Dell’Orso cut the lead down to two points with 45.3 seconds to go, but Joiner had the answer. He coolly drained a jumper with 32.2 seconds left, and finally the Camels lacked a response.

“[Joiner] was excited about the moment,” Keatts noted. “You could see it in his face in the huddle.”

Joiner would finish with 17 points, making 6 of 13 shots, and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists while having just 1 turnover.

Sophomore guard Terquavion Smith, who was a game-time decision after twisting his ankle in practice, scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half and went 4 for 8 on threes. He was the only Wolfpack player to make a shot from beyond the arc. Smith also matched his career-high with 6 assists.

Fifth-year senior forward Jack Clark added 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals.

Next up for NC State basketball is Florida International, who has won both of their games this season so far. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. at PNC Arena in Raleigh on Tuesday evening.