Smith, North Carolina State cruise past New Orleans 69-52

NC State beats New Orleans 69-52

RALEIGH, N.C. — Tracy Smith had 20 points and eight rebounds to help North Carolina State beat New Orleans 69-52 on Sunday.

C.J. Williams added a season-high 12 for the Wolfpack (5-0), who built a double-digit lead in the first 5 minutes and maintained control the rest of the way. N.C. State led by 10 points at halftime, then used an 11-0 spurt midway through the second half to turn away the Privateers’ best run to get back in the game.

Javi Gonzalez hit 3s on consecutive possessions to start that spurt, then fed Smith inside for a hook that made it 50-35 with 11:18 left. Dennis Horner closed the run with a midrange jumper off an inbound pass and a free throw, pushing the lead to 18 points with 9:44 to play and effectively sealing the win.

Charles Carmouche scored 16 points to lead New Orleans (3-2), which shot 35 percent.