WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Cardic Pack is Back for a Day as State Stuns FSU, 69-66

Jan 26, 2008

Tallahassee, Fla. — Nothing has come easy for N.C. State in men's basketball this season. But on Saturday, the Wolfpack won another thriller as it ousted Florida State 69-66 in a hard-fought ACC game.

State guard Courtney Fells hit a pair of clutch three-pointers in the closing minutes - including one he banked in - and freshman J.J. Hickson hit two free throws for 9.6 seconds left for the victory.

Hickson had a strong game, with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go with his critical free throws. Hickson was fouled after yanking down the rebound on an FSU miss at the other end.

The victory helps revive a Wolfpack season that had been derailed by nonconference losses and then embarrassing efforts in losses at UNC and Clemson. State beat Miami in overtime before losing at home to Georgia Tech.

State is now 2-3 in ACC play and 13-6 overall.

Florida State is 2-4 and 13-8.

N.C. State plays at Duke on Thursday.

WRAL.com has a correspondent in Tallahassee reporting on the game and will post more details on the game throughout the day.