Virginia tops NC State in OT, extends home win streak

Field Level Media|published: Thu Jan 25 2024 02:41
Jan 24, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Ben Middlebrooks (34) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Blake Buchanan (0) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. credits: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Taine Murray scored six of his 11 points in overtime as Virginia extended the longest active home winning streak in Division I to 21 games by staving off North Carolina State 59-53 on Wednesday in Charlottesville, Va.

Ryan Dunn had 13 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers (14-5, 5-3 ACC), which outrebounded the Wolfpack 54-32, including a 20-7 advantage on offensive boards.

Reece Beekman chipped in 11 points and six assists, while Isaac McKneely and Jordan Minor each had 10 points.

Casey Morsell had 13 points, DJ Burns Jr. scored 11 and Michael O'Connell chipped in 10 points for NC State (13-6, 5-3 ACC). DJ Horne hit 3-of-7 3-pointers and finished with nine points.

After being outscored 32-20 in the second half, Virginia rattled off the first six points of overtime and built a 53-47 lead on Murray's triple midway through the extra period.

Horne answered with a 3-pointer for NC State before Beekman and Murray supplied three free throws to replenish the Cavaliers' six-point cushion.

The Wolfpack whittled their deficit to three on Horne's second 3-pointer of overtime with 31 seconds left but pulled no closer after Murray's free throw and Dunn's dunk capped the scoring.

Virginia held a 34-30 edge in points in the paint and outscored NC State 10-6 on second-chance points.

The Wolfpack faced their largest deficit at 35-21 with 14:53 to play before they clamped down and rallied to take the lead.

Morsell scored seven points and hit NC State's first 3-pointer to chisel the Cavaliers' lead to 37-32 at the 9:14 mark.

McKneely's triple gave Virginia an eight-point cushion, but Horne responded with a 3-pointer that sparked a 9-0 NC State run, which McConnell capped with a jumper to slide the Wolfpack ahead 41-40 with 4:27 to play.

Beekman's three-point play and McKneely's jumper powered a critical five-point spurt that swung the Cavaliers in front 47-43 with 2:21 left.

—Field Level Media

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