Graduate guard D.J. Horne poured in a season-high 26 points as he helped lead NC State past Detroit Mercy, 83-66, Saturday afternoon.
With the win, NC State improves to 9-3 on the year. The game against the Titans was the final non-conference, and final game of the 2023 calendar year for the Pack.
Horne had an efficient 26 points, shooting 9-of-15 from the field, including 6-of-11 from three-point range. He also tied his season-high with six rebounds and passed out a season-high six assists.
Horne scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half as he helped NC State overcome a sluggish start.
The Titans jumped out to a 9-2 lead barely two minutes into the game which prompted a quick timeout from NC State head coach
Kevin Keatts and four new players into the game to join Horne.
Horne scored 10 of NC State's first 12 points, tying the game with a three-pointer with 15 minutes to go in the first half.
NC State went on a 21-5 run after falling behind 9-2. Detroit would get within two points again late in the first half, 38-36, but the Pack would score the final five points of the first half to take a 43-36 lead into the break.
The Pack would extend its 5-0 run to 13-0 by scoring the first eight points of the second half and the Titans never got within single digits again.
Joining Horne in double figures was
Ben Middlebrooks with 11 points and seven rebounds, as well as
Dennis Parker, Jr., and
DJ Burns, Jr., who each posted 10 points.
Jayden Taylor added a game-high four steals.
NC State returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 3 when it plays at Notre Dame. Tipoff against the Fighting Irish is scheduled for 9 p.m. and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.
https://gopack.com/news/2023/12/23/mens-basketball-hornes-26-points-help-pack-get-past-detroit-mercy