Horner scores 12 points, Howell adds 11 as NC State holds on to beat Winthrop 68-52

Horner leads NC State past Winthrop 68-52

RALEIGH, N.C. — Dennis Horner scored 12 points to help North Carolina State defeat Winthrop 68-52 on Tuesday night.

Richard Howell added 11 points for the Wolfpack (9-3), who responded with a 9-0 run after their 23-point lead diminished to eight early in the second half.

N.C. State led 41-29 at halftime on the strength of a 30-7 run that began early in the period. The Wolfpack scored on 11 of 12 possessions, including 10 in a row, and made eight of their season-high 10 3-pointers in the first half.

Robbie Dreher scored 14 points to lead Winthrop (5-7), which scored fewer than 60 points for the eighth time this season.

The Eagles shot 32 percent from the floor, including 3-for-18 from 3-point range. Winthrop pulled within eight points at 48-40 with 11:18 remaining, but C.J. Williams hit back-to-back jumpers and Howell made a 3-pointer and a layup to restore N.C. State’s cushion.