New-look NC State runs away from NC Central early for first win in Will Wade era

Audio By Carbonatix

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Darrion Williams led seven NC State players in double-digit scoring with 19 points and the Wolpack beat NC Central 114-66 on Monday night in a season-opening contest.

Paul McNeil scored 16 points, Quadir Copeland and Tre Holloman each scored 15, reserves Matt Able and Jerry Deng had 14 and 12 respectively, and Ven-Allen Lubin added 10 for NC State.

NC State shot 57.8% (37 of 64) including 47.5% (19 of 40) from 3-point range. NC State led 22-16 lead with 11:41 left in the first half and took control for the remainder with the help of a 13-0 run. They led 54-26 at halftime.

Greg Lattimore scored 20 points and Khouri Carvey had 19 for the Eagles.

The game marked the debut of first-year coach Will Wade, who was hired March 23 after leading McNeese to a combined 58-11 record and back-to-back Southland regular season and tournament titles in two seasons with the Cowboys.

Wade turned over the NC State roster from last season’s 12-19 team. He brought back just one scholarship player — Paul McNeil Jr. — from last season and just two players overall; McNeil and walk-on Jordan Snell.

The Pack’s top-eight scorers from last season are not returning to this year’s team. The 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons mark the last time NC State had the same leading scorer in back-to-back seasons.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball