UMKC can’t keep up at N.C. State

UMKC basketball was facing a tough challenge on Saturday with a game at North Carolina State, and as the first half wore on, tough in turned out to be.

The Wolfpack went on a 22-2 run late in the first half on the way to a 88-69 victory.

With the big first-half run, N.C. State was ahead 47-24 at halftime: N.C. State (8-2) scored on eight consecutive possessions during the spurt, getting baskets from six players.

The Kangaroos (3-8) cut N.C. State’s lead to 11 points late in the second half but was unable to get closer.

Aleer Leek tied a career high with 15 points for UMKC, while Xavier Bishop and Marco Smith, who played at Washington High School, scored 12 points each for the Kangaroos.

Torin Dorn had 22 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for the Wolfpack. Markell Johnson added 17 points for the Wolfpack, who never trailed in their lone scheduled home game of the season at Reynolds Coliseum. Braxton Beverly scored 12 points and Allerik Freeman had 10 for N.C. State.

UMKC shot 5 of 27 from three-point range and missed 14 of 15 shots in one stretch as the Wolfpack blew open the game.

UMKC is set to play at Incarnate Word in Alamo Heights, Texas next Saturday.

This story was originally published December 9, 2017 at 5:30 PM with the headline "UMKC can’t keep up at N.C. State."