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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wolfpack thrash Privateers


North Carolina State's Engin Atsur (14) tries to pass the ball to teammate Julius Hodge (24) after a steal. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Julius Hodge led a balanced attack with 21 points, and No. 19 North Carolina State jumped on New Orleans early in a 92-58 victory Wednesday night in the first round of the BCA Invitational at Raleigh, N.C.

Jordan Collins scored a career-high 17 points, Engin Atsur had 14 and four other players finished with at least eight.

N.C. State plays Elon, a 73-59 winner over Fairleigh Dickinson, in the second round tonight.

The Wolfpack (1-0) made their first five shots and scored the first 11 points, never giving the Privateers (0-1) and coach Monte Towe a chance. Towe starred at N.C. State during the 1970s, leading a team that included David Thompson and Tommy Burleson to the 1974 NCAA championship.

The Privateers had more turnovers than baskets well into the second half.

Bo McCalebb led New Orleans with 21 points, the team’s only player in double figures.

Oregon St. 69, Siena 67: At Raleigh, N.C., Sasa Cuic’s three-point play with 4 seconds left gave the Beavers (1-0) a win over the Saints (0-1) in the first round of the BCA Invitational.

The Beavers advance to play the East Carolina Pirates, who beat the Pepperdine Waves 80-58 earlier in the day.

Cuic, a freshman, finished with 17 points, Nash added 15 more for Oregon State and Chris Stephens scored 12.

Michael Haddix led the Saints with 26 points.

Women’s basketball

Jacqueline Batteast scored 17 points, including 10 during a decisive three-minute run in the second half, to lead the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0) to a 76-65 victory over the No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (2-1) in a WNIT semifinal in South Bend, Ind. Charel Allen added 16 points, and Megan Duffy had 15 for the Irish. Monique Currie led Duke with 14 points and 11 rebounds. … Caity Matter exploited the No. 24 Arizona Wildcats’ (2-1) defense by hitting four 3-pointers and scoring 20 points to lead the No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) to a 78-45 victory in the semifinals of the Women’s NIT in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes advance to play at No. 11 Notre Dame on Saturday in the championship game. Matter added four assists and four rebounds.