Instant observations: NC State downs Louisville to open ACC tournament

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Mar 12, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (5) and North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Mohamed Diarra (23) battle for the ball in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

WASHINGTON — In the first eight minutes, it appeared NC State's season was going to end after just one game in the ACC tournament. The red and white trailed by 12 and Louisville had all the momentum in the nation's capital. But the 10th-seeded Wolfpack adjusted and was able to down 15-seed Louisville 94-85 in the opening round of the league's postseason at Capital One Arena on Tuesday afternoon. NC State had five players in double figures in the win, paced by graduate guard Casey Morsell's 23 points. Junior guard Jayden Taylor added 18 points, including 11 in the second half to help push NC State into the second round. Graduate guard Michael O’Connell added 16 points, while junior forward Ben Middlebrooks chipped in with 11.