No. 25 NC State fell to No. 14 Kentucky, 93-78, at the Ally Tipoff, unable to contain the Wildcats’ 3-point shooting. Khamil Pierre scored a career-high 34 points for the Wolfpack, which fought back from an early 16-point deficit but couldn’t close the gap after Kentucky built a 12-point halftime lead.

By the Numbers
  • Kentucky made 18 3-pointers, including 13 in the first half.
  • Pierre scored 34 points, including 18 in the first quarter.
  • Kentucky outrebounded NC State, 38-29.
Yes, But

NC State showed resilience, cutting Kentucky’s early 21-5 lead and later pulling within 11 points in the fourth quarter. But a 2-for-16 shooting performance in the second quarter helped Kentucky regain control.

What’s Next

NC State returns home to face Liberty on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra.

Bottom Line

Pierre’s record-setting scoring couldn’t offset Kentucky’s 3-point barrage: NC State will need to defend the perimeter more effectively to turn a spirited comeback into a win.