DJ Horne scored 19 points to lead 11th-seeded North Carolina State to a 67-58 win over second-seeded Marquette in the South Region to advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Casey Morsell had 15 points and Mohamed Diarra had 11 points including 15 rebounds as the Wolfpack reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 1986. NC State has won eight straight games following a four-game losing streak to end the regular season.
Kam Jones scored 20 points as well as Tyler Kolek added 17 points and 10 rebounds for Marquette. The Golden Eagles shot 33.3 percent from the field and was 4 for 31 (12.9 percent) from 3-point range.
The Wolfpack led by 16 early in the second half before Marquette pull it close into 10 points off its deficit. A basket by Morsell put NC State ahead by eight with 2:21 remaining, and Michael O’Connell followed with a 3-pointer with 1:35 left to give the Wolfpack a 63-52 lead. Marquette moved within seven, Diarra and Horne each made of their free throws to make it 67-56 with 29.4 seconds left as NC State closed it out.
The Wolfpack will play ACC rival Duke on Sunday for a chance to go to the final four. This will be the fourth meeting this season, Duke won twice in the regular season and NC State beat Duke in the ACC Tournament two weeks ago.
