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Wolfpack Rallies to Stun Wake, 67-65

Feb 3, 2008

Raleigh, N.C. — Just when you think N.C. State is done, the Wolfpack does something amazing.

State didn't lead Wake Forest until less than three minutes remained and then won 67-65 on a last-second tip by Ben McCauley in a pulsating ACC game at the RBC Center.

McCauley was beyond the three-point line when Gavin Grant launched a 21-foot shot for the lane. McCauley rushed down the lane, gathered himself as the ball bounced off the rim and jumped up to tip the ball in with one-tenth of a second remaining.

The Deacons, showing a scrappy resilience in their first season under Dino Gaudio, had led the entire game until the final three minutes.

Then McCauley grabbed a Wake miss and, from the floor, passed ahead to Javi Gonzalez, who pushed the ball up to J.J. Hickson for a breakaway dunk with 2:55 to play.

McCauley then added two free throws with 2:17 to play for a 64-61 State lead.

Jeff Teague answered for the Demon Deacons to make the score 64-63, N.C. State.Grant hit the second of two free throws with 38.2 seconds left to put State ahead, 65-63.

The Deacons missed two shots at their end, and Hickson was fouled with 13.4 seconds to play. The Wolfpack freshman missed both attempts and Wake zipped down the coourt to try to tie. Guard Ish Smith drove to his left and scooped a shot under Hickson to tie the score at 65-all with 5.2 seconds to play.

On the final posession, Grant had a good look for State from the right wing, shooting from 21 feet out. He missed, but McCauley was there to get State the victory in dramatic fasnion.

Full coverage is coming today on WRAL.com, with video highlights, interviews, a game story and more. And of course, look for Jason Jennings' coverage on WRAL-TV later today.