RALEIGH, N.C. - Charleston Southern men's basketball battled early Wednesday night in the season opener at N.C. State, but the host Wolfpack built a second-half lead on their way to a 95-61 win to open the Mako Medical Wolfpack Invitational.
Charleston Southern (0-1) saw a career-high 12 points from Malik Battle and Ja'Quavian Florence as well as 12 off the bench by Sean Price and team-high three steals in the loss. N.C. State (1-0) was led offensively by Devon Daniels' 29 points while Braxton Beverly and D.J. Funderburk added 13 and 10 points.
All three CSU freshmen - Emorie Knox, Melvin Edwards Jr. and Florence - made their Buccaneer debuts with Florence earning the start.
CSU and the host Wolfpack exchanged leads throughout the first half as the Bucs ended the night shooting .477 from the floor, but turnovers proved too costly against an ACC opponent.
Gallery: (11-25-2020) MBB at NCSU 11-25
How It Happened
- N.C. State jumped to a 5-0 lead in the opening minutes
- CSU would answer and exchange leads with N.C. State through the first 20 as Travis Anderson had 7 points and Malik Battle had 9Â
- Turnovers proved costly as N.C. State built a 12-point halftime margin
- N.C. State continued to build their lead off CSU turnovers in the second on their way to the win
- Sean Price and Ja'Quavian Florence wouldn't go quietly as the two scored eight of their 12 points each over the final 20 minutes
- N.C. State scored 40 of their points off turnovers Wednesday
News and Notes
- Three Bucs paced the way with 12 points including a career-best from Malik Battle and Ja'Quavian Florence
- CSU shot .477 from the floor and .455 from deep
- Sean Price provided a spark off the bench scoring 12 points and stealing a team-high three passes in 30 minutes of action
- The Bucs finished with 32 rebounds to the Wolfpack's 30
Standout Performances
Up Next
Charleston Southern caps their stay at the Mako Medical Wolfpack Invitational Friday afternoon as they take on Eastern Kentucky. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. from Reynolds Coliseum.
