NC State vs. Louisville: Score, Stats & Highlights

Desmond Lee and North Carolina State have beaten Louisville once already this season. (Getty)

Final Score

NC State 33-30–65
Louisville 31-41–75

The Louisville Cardinals under Rick Pitino defeated the NC State Wolfpack to advance to the Elite Eight where they will await the winner of Oklahoma-Michigan State. For Pitino, this is yet another accomplishment. For the 5th time in the last seven years, the Cardinals reached the Sweet 16 and for the 3rd time in the last four years, they reach the Elite Eight.

The Cardinals were led by Terry Rozier who scored 17 and shot 6-for-15 from the field. The game’s leading scorer was Wolfpack guard Trevor Lacey who scored 18.

The Wolfpack offense went cold during long stretches of the 2nd half. Louisville’s late 9-0 run to put them up 67-57 was the difference in a game that, despite the final score, was a lot more closely contested.

1st Half Highlights

– It’s been that kind of game for Louisville. After being up for much of the 1st half, Louisville trails NC State 33-31 at halftime. Lacey is the only player who as scored in double figures; he has 12 points.

NC State has only shot 36% from the floor, but have made five three-point shots in comparison to Louisville’s one. The Cardinals are shooting 50% from the floor, but their lack of long ball and being effective from the chairty stripe (4/8 in comparison to NC State’s 6/6) has them down two at half.

– NC State has the size to match-up with Louisville inside. Kyle Washington has come off the bench for the Wolfpack and made two quick shots in the paint.

– In order for the Wolfpack to contend against Louisville, they’ll need continued stellar play from their best player, Trevor Lacey. The junior guard can match Louisville’s experience and neutralize the Cardinals’ best player, Terry Rozier. Lacey started the game hot hitting three of his first four shots including a three pointer for seven of NC State’s first 10 points.

2nd Half Highlights

Louisville’s Terry Rozier had a scare when he hit the

-Louisville took control of the game at about the halfway point of the 2nd half. A 9-0 run led to the Cardinals’ largest lead of the game at 67-57 with under 2:00 to play in the game.

– After Louisville took a 53-51 lead, Lacey hit a three-pointer to send the Wolfpack back in front with 6:56 remaining in the 2nd half.

– After NC State came out of the break with a 6-0 run, the Cardinals responded with a 7-0 run of their own.

NC State Plays Louisville for the 2nd Time This Season

Half of the Elite Eight is set, and the other half will be determined on Friday night. Both of the East and South Regions take center stage. The East Region has seen some chaos — No. 1 seed Villanova and No. 2 seed Virginia were eliminated in the first weekend of the 2015 NCAA Tournament and the last time a No. 1 and 2 seed did not make it to the Sweet 16 was 2004.

No. 8 seed NC State which upended No. 1 Villanova 71-68 will play No. 4 seed Louisville, which took care of its first two opponents UC Irvine and Northern Iowa. For NC State, this is their second Sweet 16 appearance in three seasons. For Louisville, this is their fourth consecutive year in the Sweet 16 — the Cardinals won the National Championship as the No. 1 overall seed in 2013.

The winner of this game plays the winner of No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Michigan State in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

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