Score: #25 NC State 85, VCU 79
Location: Raleigh, N.C. (Lenovo Center)
Records: VCU 2-2, NC State 4-0
 
The short story: Senior forward Barry Evans supplied a team-high 18 points for VCU, which battled 25^th-ranked NC State to the wire before falling Monday night in Raleigh.
 
OPENING TIP

• Evans connected on 6-of-12 attempts from the field, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range on his way to a season high point total. He also contributed five rebounds, three assists and a block
• Senior guard Jadrian Tracey added 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds for the Black and Gold
• The Rams also received a 13-point, five-rebound effort from junior forward Lazar Djokovic. Djokovic converted 5-of-7 attempts from the floor
• ACC Preseason Player of the Year Darrion Williams led all players with 28 points and seven rebounds for NC State, while Tre Holloman provided 25 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but battled back to tie the game at 65-65 on layup by Tracey with 9:20 remaining. But the Rams were unable to get over the hump. VCU had a number of opportunities down the stretch to re-tie the game or take the lead, but were unable to connect. Tracey buried a 3-pointer from the right wing to pull the Rams within 78-76 with 1:59 remaining. But the Rams next three possessions were two missed 3-pointers and a turnover. In the final 1:37, the Wolfpack connected on 7-of-8 from the free throw line to secure the win
• NC State converted 22-of-27 from the free throw line in the second half alone, and were 27-of-33 from the stripe overall. VCU finished 12-of-18 at the line
• The Wolfpack owned a 45-31 rebounding advantage and shot 48 percent (25-of-54) from the field

NOTABLE

• VCU was facing off against former Coach Will Wade, who led the Rams to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances from 2015-17
• The Rams forced 17 turnovers in the contest 

NEXT UP
VCU will return home to face Coppin State on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Siegel Center. That contest will air on MASN.