Shakeel Moore is a tough guard who became famous on the AAU circuit as a bulldog defender.
No matter what he does for the rest of his career at NC State, Greensboro’s first year will be remembered for his excellent experience and excellent performance in a 79-76 victory over Carolina’s No. 17. North Tuesday.
UNC (5-3, 0-1 ACC) had two chances in the last 10 seconds to tie the game, but triples from RJ Davis and Caleb Love were left off the mark.
Moore, who had averaged 5.2 points in his first five college games, scored 17 points to help the Wolfpack (5-1, 1-0) break a 7-game losing streak at home to the Tar Heels .
“It was great just because it’s the first ACC game,” Moore said. “He is our rival. It was great for me to step up, get the minutes and introduce myself. “
It was Moore’s sinking, at 10:28 of the second half, that Wolfpack fans will “like” and “retweet” on social media and in their memories.
“Shak is a monster and he’s still getting his feet wet,” senior guard Devon Daniels said in the post-game. “The most important thing about our first year is that they’re not afraid.”
Moore, who is 6-1, drove the baseline around UNC Garrison Brooks ’vanguard and then rose to sink over UNC Walker Kessler’s first year, which was 7 -1.
Moore, who scored his first three triples, said his first hit with the jumper prepared Brooks for the play.
“I just thought a simple bomb would fake and start the baseline and I could get it and show my athleticism there,” Moore said.
Daniels added 21 points for Wolfpack, who led up to 17 points in the first half with Moore by 13 points before the break. Striker Manny Bates added 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocks.
Before Daniels sat down at the Zoom press conference after the game, he said, “Finally, we got these guys!”
NC State’s last home win against the Tar Heels was in 2013.
“I’m very happy,” Daniels said. “Only during the game. I was able to feel the growth with our team. It was quite a victory for the team.”
NC State made just 11 of 20 from the free throw line to keep the door open late for the Tar Heels, who were led by sophomore forward Armando Bacot (16 points).
The young UNC guards have had trouble taking care of the ball this season and the Tar Heels have been slow beginners. Both plots continued for UNC, who turned the ball upside down seven times in the first 12 minutes when the Wolfpack jumped to 32-19.
NC State was favored with a 66.7% (6 out of 9) performance from the 3-point line.
Bacot helped the heels quickly reduce the state’s margin before the end of the half. It reached 49-42 at the break and the heels finished 53-51 and 57-55 and 59-57.
But after dominating NC State in a couple of wins last season, senior striker Garrison Brooks struggled from the floor (5 of 14) and scored just 10 points.
State was in a 59-57 position when Moore erupted in a mess that would have illuminated what would have been a PNC Arena sold. Instead, it was his cry that echoed throughout the empty building.
NC State advanced by 13, 77-64, after a throw from guard Thomas Allen at 5:13. And then the UNC began to be eliminated. The Heels hit 77-73 with 1:03 left before Daniels made a couple of free throws.
Braxton Beverly and Daniels missed four free throws in a row in the last minute, but UNC were unable to take advantage.
“We crouched down a bit, but we never broke down,” NC State coach Kevin Keatts said.
Notes: First-year guard Cam Hayes had missed the previous two games due to COVID-19 protocols. He added seven points in 11 minutes. … Striker DJ Funderburk missed his third consecutive game due to COVID protocols. … NC State improved to 5-32 against Roy Williams while Keatts, in his fourth year, has a 2-5 record against Williams.
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