By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — NC State won’t get the chance to recreate last year’s magical ACC Tournament run in 2025.

On senior night, the Wolfpack did its part, defeating Pitt 71-63 in its home finale at Lenovo Center to keep its slim hopes alive of reaching next week’s ACC Tournament.

But Notre Dame’s 56-54 home victory over Stanford later Wednesday ended the Wolfpack’s chances of reaching the conference tournament in Charlotte.

In Raleigh, NC State’s seniors scored all 71 points as the Wolfpack improved to 12-18, 5-14 in the ACC.

“I couldn’t have scripted a better night for those guys,” NC State coach Kevin Keatts said after the game and before Notre Dame’s win.

In order to qualify for next week’s 15-team ACC Tournament, NC State needed to win its final two games, and Notre Dame needed to lose its final two.

The Wolfpack won five games in five days at the 2024 ACC Tournament to win the title for the first time since 1987. NC State then won four NCAA Tournament games to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1983.

But the program has not carried that success over into this season. NC State had lost 12 of 14 before Wednesday’s win over Pitt, though it is now 3-3 in its last six games.

NC State led by as many as 11 points several times in the second half. but Pitt got to within 55-54 with 4:56 remaining. Ben Middlebrooks’ three-point play gave NC State some breathing room, and the Wolfpack held on from there.

Senior Michael O’Connell led NC State with 15 points, including a big 3-pointer with less than three minutes left.

Senior Breon Pass, who has played all 115 of his career games for the Wolfpack, tied his career high with 14 points and made four 3-pointers in the victory against Pitt. It was his first career start.

“Obviously wanted to go out there and perform,” Pass said. “To go out there on senior night and perform, it meant a lot to me.”

Pass was 5-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range. He added three assists and three rebounds in 27 minutes.

“He is the best teammate that you’re ever going to find,” Keatts said.

Said O’Connell: “I’m so proud of him. He worked so hard every day. He gives it his all. He supports everyone, so seeing him go out there and do his thing, get a start with us tonight, it’s pretty cool.”

Dontrez Styles added 13 points and Middlebrooks had 11 — 10 in the second half — for the Wolfpack.

Source: wralsportsfan.com