In Washington, D.C., NC State (22-14, 14-11 ACC) emerged victorious against UNC with a score of 84-76 on Saturday night. This win marked their first ACC Tournament triumph in almost 40 years. The victory against the Tar Heels was the highlight of an extraordinary week for the Wolfpack. It also ensured their spot in the NCAA Tournament. Remarkably, NC State is the first team in the ACC’s history to win five games in as many days during the conference tournament. They are also the fifth team in the history of the ACC to beat the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 teams in the league, securing the championship title.
Despite facing foul trouble throughout the game, graduate guard DJ Horne delivered an outstanding performance. He led the team with 29 points. Forward D.J. Burns, who was honored as the tournament MVP, contributed significantly with 20 points and seven assists.
Forward Mohamed Diarra made a notable impact with 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, setting a tournament record with 60 rebounds. Guard Michael O’Connell also played a crucial role, adding 10 points to the scoreboard. The team benefited greatly from the contributions of guard Casey Morsell and Jayden Taylor. Despite injuries, they played key roles in helping NC State achieve this historic victory.
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