Edmead's double-double, 5 3-pointers from McNeil help NC State rally past ETSU

RALEIGH, N.C. -- — Preston Edmead had 20 points and 10 assists, Paul McNeil Jr. scored 16 points, and N.C. State rallied in the second half to defeat East Tennessee State 77-63 on Friday night.

McNeil made five of NC State's 13 3-pointers and the Wolfpack made all 12 of their free-throw tries. Christian Hammond scored 16 points as the Wolfpack won their second straight under first-year coach Justin Gainey, who played point guard for them from 1996 to 2000.

East Tennessee State (0-2) got 14 points from Tyran Mason to lead five in double figures.

Marqus Marion scored seven points in ETSU's 12-3 run to open the second half and the Buccaneers led 48-38 three minutes into the period.

NC State then stormed back with a 15-0 run that included 3-pointers by McNeil, Eemeli Yalaho and RJ Keene, giving the Wolfpack a 57-52 lead midway through the period.

McNeil's four-point play with 3:44 remaining gave the Wolfpack their first double-digit lead, 70-59, and started a 13-4 closing run.

After NC State opened the game with a 3-pointer from Edmead, the Buccaneers tied it with Marion's 3-pointer then took a lead they held until less than 6 minutes remained in the first half.

The Wolfpack took a 26-23 lead on a 3-pointer by McNeil near the 5 1/2-minute mark. NC State would go up by four but ETSU scored the last five points of the half on a layup by BJ Ward and a 3-pointer from Jayden Cooper for a 36-35 halftime lead.

Up next

N.C. State: vs. Presbyterian on Tuesday.

East Tennessee State: vs. Campbell on Wednesday. -------- Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full men’s basketball coverage here