RALEIGH, N.C. — In a thrilling comeback, the N.C. State Wolfpack emerged victorious against Notre Dame with a score of 66-65 on Wednesday evening, thanks to a crucial free throw by Ben Middlebrooks with just 11 seconds left in the game.
With only 1:07 remaining, Marcus Hill secured a layup that leveled the score. Soon after, Middlebrooks managed to sink one of two free throws, bringing the Wolfpack ahead for the first time since a little over seven minutes remained in the second half. A last-minute jumper attempt by Notre Dame’s Markus Burton fell short, and Hill was there to grab the rebound as the clock expired.
Earlier in the game, a three-pointer by Braeden Shrewsberry had given Notre Dame a seven-point advantage with three and a half minutes left. However, the Fighting Irish could only muster two points for the rest of the match.
N.C. State’s comeback commenced with a three-pointer from Dontrez Styles, which was followed by another layup from Hill that narrowed the gap to two points with two and a half minutes left. Matt Allocco retaliated by making two free throws for Notre Dame, but the Wolfpack closed the game with a decisive five-point run.
Throughout the game, nine players from both teams reached double figures in scoring. For N.C. State, Hill led with 15 points, followed closely by Jayden Taylor with 14 points, Middlebrooks with 11, and Styles contributing 10 points. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s scoring was topped by Burton and Davis, who both scored 15 points, with Shrewsberry and Allocco adding 13 and 11 points respectively. Kebba Njie also had a notable performance with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The first half featured a back-and-forth competition, with five lead changes in just two and a half minutes before Notre Dame initiated an 11-0 run, leading 33-23 with just over a minute remaining. They went into halftime with a narrow lead of 33-26.
N.C. State’s victory over Notre Dame now gives them an 11-10 all-time lead in their series. The Wolfpack is set to face North Carolina in their next game on Saturday, while Notre Dame prepares for a challenging matchup against No. 4 Duke on the same day.
