GREENSBORO, N.C. – In a thrilling finish, NC State’s Paul McNeil, Jr. hit a game-winning three-pointer with just half a second left, sealing an 88-86 victory over South Carolina in an exhibition game. This dramatic moment came after South Carolina took a late lead, driven by an impressive 16-6 run.
With only six seconds on the clock, Quadir Copeland set up McNeil, who skillfully stepped back and launched his shot, leaving spectators in disbelief. Moments earlier, NC State found themselves trailing 79-68 with just over seven minutes left. However, they turned the tide with strong defense, allowing them to rally back and tie the game at 79.
South Carolina briefly regained the lead, but NC State surged again, scoring six points to take an 85-81 advantage. Despite the back-and-forth battle, South Carolina fought back, setting up a nail-biting finish.
Ven-Allen Lubin led NC State, scoring 18 points, while Copeland, Tre Holloman, and Darrion Williams each contributed 16 points. McNeil’s nine points were all from three-point territory. On the opposing side, Eli Ellis stood out for South Carolina, finishing with 23 points, while Meechie Johnson added 20.
This game highlights the intense competition in college basketball. According to a recent NCAA report, tight finishes like this are increasingly common, with games decided by five points or less rising to over 30% in the last season—a trend that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
As NC State looks ahead, they will face NC Central in front of a sold-out crowd on November 3, marking the start of their 2025-26 season. Fans are eager to see if the team can carry this momentum into the regular season.
For more insights into the state of college basketball, check out NCAA’s latest reports.
