Trailing by 3, NC State Senior Guard Michael O’Connell made an improbable three pointer bank shot with time expiring in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
With 1:11 left in regulation, it all but looked like the game was over. DJ Horne committed a turnover, and DJ Burns committed a flagrant foul. Prior to Reece Beekman heading to the free throw line, Virginia was leading by 5 points.
He missed them both, but would then make 1 of 2 with 51 seconds, putting the Cavaliers up by 6 with 51 seconds left.
With 43 seconds left, Senior Guard Casey Morsell was fouled on a three point attempt, and he made all three, making it a three point game.
Down by 3, with 5 seconds left, UVA’s Isaac McNeely, who shoots 87% from the charity stripe, stepped up to the line. McNeely missed, and then O’Connell put on his Superman cape and made the bank shot.
In overtime, it was the DJ Burns Show, scoring 7 of his 19 points in the extra period, making all three field goal attempts, and the 1 free throw he took.
The Wolfpack won their 4th game in 4 nights, defeating UVA 73-65.
If you would have told me that NC State would beat Virginia, and DJ Horne would have only scored 8 points, shooting 2 of 9 from the field, I would have laughed. I would have laughed even harder when you told me Jayden Taylor would have only scored 2 points.
This game was won due to a physical battle in the paint, with Ben Middlebrooks scoring 12 and Burns scoring 19. Mohamed Diarra chipped in 9 as well (12 boards). It was the Middlebrooks Show in the 1st half, scoring 10 of his 12 in the opening period. Burns would take the reins in the 2nd, scoring 13 of his 19 in the 2nd half and overtime.
It’s hard to quantify how big Michael O’Connell was tonight. Not only did he make the buzzer beater, but he also scored 12 points, when Horne and Taylor combined for 10. His aggressive play matched with confidence has been an X-factor of the Pack’s success in the ACC Tournament.
NC State was the first team to play on Tuesday in the ACC Tournament to advance to Friday’s Semifinals. Now they are obviously the first team to play on Tuesday and advance to Saturday’s ACC Title game.
Why Not Us?
