NC State, in command with a 16-point lead with eight minutes to go, could not withstand Saint Louis full-court pressure or hit free throws down the stretch in an 83-80 overtime loss.
State’s TJ Warren scored 28 points but could not hit from the free throw line in regulation or overtime, going six of 14 in addition to committing a lane violation while shooting what would have been a good free throw. He fouled out with 28 seconds left in overtime.
Tyler Lewis had a chance to win it in regulation with a 12-footer than rimmed out at the buzzer.
Saint Louis got out to an early 9-6 lead but didn’t lead again until overtime.
The Pack led by double digits at 30-19 in the first half but went into the half up by only four at 30-26. Quickly the Pack regained control of the game in the second half, working the lead up to 55-39 with 8:11 left, until falling apart at the end.
NC State hit only 20 of 37 free throws for the game, missing six free throws in the last 2:11 of regulation.
State’s Ralston Turner had a chance to send the game into a second overtime with a three at the buzzer but, despite being on line, came up a little short.