NC State Wolfpack vs Pittsburgh Panthers Match Player Stats On Feb 17, 2021

D.J. Funderburk made the go-ahead scoring play and finished with 16 points as North Carolina State nipped host Pittsburgh 74-73 on Wednesday.

The Wolfpack (9-9, 5-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) won for just the second time in its last six games, and was aided by Pittsburgh missing its final four shots.

Jericole Hellems poured in 17 points for NC State. Braxton Beverly, who has been dealing with back and hip ailments, added 12 points and Cam Hayes had 11 points for the Wolfpack.

Justin Champagnie's 18 points and Au'Diese Toney's 17 points paced Pittsburgh (9-8, 5-7), though they both misfired in the waning seconds.

Hellems fouled out with 3:25 remaining, with Xavier Johnson's two ensuing free throws putting the Panthers on top 68-67.

Funderburk's three-point play with 1:41 left put NC State ahead 72-71. Hayes made two free throws at the 22-second mark to extend it out to 74-71.

Champagnie ended up at the foul line with 12 seconds to go, sinking both attempts before a Hayes traveling violation. Toney and Champagnie were off the mark with potential game-winning shots in the last five seconds as the Panthers fell for the sixth time in a seven-game stretch.

NC State center Manny Bates, who didn't score in the first half, notched four of his eight points during a 51-second burst, giving the Wolfpack a 67-61 advantage.

Earlier, NC State built a 31-21 lead, but held just a 40-39 halftime edge. Toney scored Pittsburgh's final eight points of the half. He was 5-for-5 from the field and had 14 points before the break.

Hellems provided six straight points as the Wolfpack stretched its lead to 56-48. NC State was in span of more than seven minutes with just two field goals as Pittsburgh pulled within 60-59.

The Wolfpack has won 11 straight meetings in the Pittsburgh series. The Wolfpack is 5-0 all-time at Petersen Events Center.

NC State played without guard Thomas Allen, who has a left leg injury, the school announced. Though he averages 7.4 points per game, he had led the Wolfpack in scoring in three of its previous nine games.

--Field Level Media