Mohamed Diarra had 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds as host North Carolina State opened the season with a 72-59 win over the Citadel on Monday night in Raleigh, N.C.
Diarra, a transfer from Missouri, also blocked three shots and was impressive in his debut for the Wolfpack (1-0). He was one of three NC State players to score in double digits, as Michael O’Connell tallied 14 points and seven assists, and returner DJ Burns also chipped in 16 points.
The Citadel (0-1) was led by AJ Smith, who had 15 points and five rebounds, and shot 9-of-11 from the free throw line.
NC State led wire-to-wire. Burns scored the first three baskets, two of them unassisted, and finished with 12 in the first half. O’Connell had 11 as the Wolfpack led by nine points at the break.
The Wolfpack’s largest lead of the night — 18 points — came with 9:10 to play in the second half following a 20-8 NC State run, during which Diarra had five points and three rebounds. O’Connell also dished out three of his assists during that stretch.
The Bulldogs never again cut the deficit to single digits.
NC State held the Citadel to just 4-of-17 from 3-point range and just seven assists while forcing 14 turnovers. The Wolfpack made 10 of 28 shots from behind the arc and piled up 19 assists while turning the ball over just nine times.
The battle on the glass was nearly even, but the Bulldogs grabbed one more in a 39-38 advantage.
It was the ninth time that O’Connell — who transferred in after playing three seasons at Stanford — finished with at least seven assists or more.
NC State hosts Abilene Christian on Friday.
–Field Level Media