Full Breakdown
NC State Wolfpack Secures Road Victory Against Pittsburgh Panthers
1/25/2026, 8:48:04 PM
Game Overview and Key Moments
On January 24, 2026, the NC State Wolfpack defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 81-72 in a hard-fought Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup at the Petersen Events Center. The Wolfpack, now 14-6 overall and 5-2 in ACC play, relied on a strong second-half performance to overcome a sluggish start and significant rebounding challenges.
The game began poorly for NC State, which fell behind 13-4 due to Pittsburgh's dominance on the boards, particularly from freshman Roman Siulepa, who recorded five rebounds in the opening minutes. The Wolfpack struggled offensively, failing to score for over six minutes until a dunk by Ven-Allen Lubin. However, NC State rallied with a 9-0 run to tie the game, eventually leading 34-33 at halftime.
Second Half Surge
The second half saw NC State outscore Pittsburgh 47-39, driven by clutch shooting from Paul McNeil, who scored nine of his 15 points during a critical 15-2 run that gave the Wolfpack an eight-point lead. Quadir Copeland led the team with 20 points and nine assists, while Lubin contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds, marking his fifth double-double of the season. Coach Will Wade praised his team's adaptability, noting their ability to adjust strategies mid-game.
Rebounding Challenges
Despite the victory, NC State's rebounding performance was a significant concern. The Wolfpack was out-rebounded 52-31, allowing Pittsburgh to score 24 second-chance points. Wade acknowledged the team's poor effort on the boards, stating, “They just annihilated us... We did a poor job, and they got us on some crossmatches.” The Panthers' early rebounding advantage set the tone for the game, and NC State's guards failed to contribute effectively to defensive rebounds.
Free-Throw Success
A key factor in NC State's win was their free-throw shooting, where they converted 22 of 27 attempts compared to Pittsburgh's 11 of 25. This disparity helped the Wolfpack maintain their lead despite their rebounding woes.
Criticism and Areas for Improvement
Critics of the Wolfpack pointed to their slow starts and rebounding deficiencies as areas needing improvement. Darrion Williams, who had been a standout in previous games, struggled with foul trouble and finished with only seven points. Wade emphasized the need for a more aggressive approach from his players, particularly in rebounding.
Looking Ahead
Following this victory, NC State is set to face Syracuse at the Lenovo Center, where they will aim to build on their recent success while addressing the rebounding issues that have plagued them throughout the season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “just annihilated us.” — Will Wade, Head Coach
- “His usage rate was a little high because Darrion [Williams] was in foul trouble,” — Will Wade on Quadir Copeland
This victory highlights NC State's resilience and ability to adapt, but it also underscores the need for improvement in critical areas as they continue their ACC campaign.
