No. 6 N.C. State was favored to win the Puerto Rico Tip-off tournament but Oklahoma State exploded for a 76-56 win as the Pack imploded.
State’s C.J. Leslie got in foul trouble and didn’t start the second half. When he did get in there he committed a foul and cursed the official, picking up a technical that counted as his fifth foul. With Leslie fouled out and sulking on the bench, the Pack didn’t put up much of a fight the rest of the way.
The Pack lost each half by an identical 38-28 score. State, led by Rodney Purvis’ 16 points, managed only 35 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the foul line. In addition, Oklahoma State outrebounded N.C. State 42-27.
The Cowboys’ Le’Bryan Nash led all scorers with 23 points. Leslie scored just two points in 17 minutes.