WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

Emphasis on defense, rebounding leads State past Winthrop 74-48

By Daniel Ellis

Nov 26, 2008

Ben McCauley helped N.C. State (3-0) wallop the Winthrop Eagles (1-4) 74 to 48 on Tuesday night. The senior led all players in scoring while tallying his first double-double of the season.

“Ben [McCauley]’s value to the team is his leadership, his inside presence, and his energy,” senior Courtney Fells said. “No one on the team has as much energy as Ben McCauley and it shows out there on the court.”

McCauley finished out the night with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting and 11 rebounds.

“He does the type of things we want to be contagious to the team,” coach Sidney Lowe said. “He’s been focused on playing the right way, playing hard, and playing well.”

During a timeout early in the second half, Lowe yelled in frustration at the players’ inability to get rebounds. The Pack, however, would go on to outrebound the Eagles 45 to 37.

“He was stressing rebounding a lot this game,” McCauley said. “He feels like if we rebound the ball we can push the ball up the court and get some easy baskets like we did tonight.”

By penetrating the Eagles’ offense with their fast-break opportunities, the Wolfpack were able to take a lead of 40 to 24 into the locker room at halftime.

“Coach told us from the start that the way we’re playing this year, we’re going to be a running team,” sophomore Tracy Smith said. “Tonight, the big guys really did a great job outrunning the other big guys down the court.”

Throughout the night the Wolfpack essentially used two teams. In fact, nine Pack players all saw more than 15 minutes of time on the hardwood.

“He wants to have that first five of starters go out hard and run the court,” Smith said. “Then, five or six minutes into the game, the second group will come in so that those first guys can rebuild their energy.”

Fells, who ended with 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting, admitted that he was sweating a little more than usual in the Pack’s first game back in the RBC Center this season.

“It’s different coming off playing in Reynolds and then transitioning to here because it’s so cold in Reynolds that you can’t really get a sweat going,” he said.

Fells, who tied his career high with 23 points in the team’s win over High Point on Saturday, believes that he has ample room for improvement.

“I didn’t play my best and wasn’t aggressive at all,” he said.

“I was a little off-rhythm during the first half, but then in the second half I came back out there and helped increase the lead a little.”

Smith and redshirt junior Brandon Costner also contributed to the team’s victory over Winthrop by scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Winthrop, a team that has gained increased respect after recent appearances in the NCAA tournament was shut down by State, only coming as close as 13 in the second half.

“From the first possession on we sent a message that we were here for business and were going to do whatever it takes to win,” McCauley said.

The red and white will play host to UNC-Greensboro on Sunday.

“We’re going to take a couple of days off for the holiday and get right back in it,” McCauley said.