Instant observations: NC State drops ACC road game at Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM — It looked as if NC State’s defense got a much-needed stop midway through the second half at Wake Forest, but Demon Deacons forward Efton Reid III used his 7-foot frame to pluck an easy offensive rebound. The former LSU and Gonzaga standout flipped the ball to guard Ty-Laur Johnson, who nailed a wide-open triple. Instead of a defensive stand, the Wolfpack fell behind by 12, which made NC State coach Kevin Keatts hot. He stepped onto the floor, looking to call a 30-second timeout, but was awarded a technical by referee Tommy Morrissey.  That momentum swing allowed the Demon Deacons to grow their lead to 14, which it was able to hold onto the rest of the way. Wake Forest beat NC State 77-59 on Saturday afternoon at Lawrerence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Pack’s second straight ACC road loss.  NC State had trailed by as many as 15 in the first half, but it was able to cut the deficit to just 2 points in the first minute of the final 20. Although the Pack chipped away, Wake Forest went on a 19-6 run to take a commanding lead, capped by the Keatts technical and ensuing free throws.  Senior guard Marcus Hill paced NC State with 14 points, while senior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield added 9 and senior wing Dontrez Styles chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Here are three observations from the Wolfpack’s loss in Winston-Salem.