Dec 7, 2006 2 min read

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Frank Young’s 16 points led four players in double figures as West Virginia beat North Carolina State 71-60 on Wednesday. The Mountaineers offset their inside defensive deficiency by making 13 3-pointers, one off their season high. Eight of those came in the second half, when a tiring Wolfpack team lacking depth could not stay with West Virginia’s motion offense.

Thirteen of Young’s points came in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 6:46 left that put West Virginia (6-1) ahead 56-51 after North Carolina State rallied to pull within a possession. The rally was sparked by a switch from a man defense into the Wolfpack’s trademark 1-3-1 zone.

North Carolina State (5-2) then missed three consecutive shots from the outside and West Virginia took advantage, hitting two 3-pointers around a jumper from DaSean Butler to take a 61-51 lead with 4:52 left.

West Virginia ran the clock down to 2:00 on its next possession before Joe Alexander hit a jumper from the corner with two seconds left on the shot clock. He then stole the ball and dunked before North Carolina State was called for a charge with 1:30 left. The Mountaineers made six of seven free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Alexander and Alex Ruoff each added 15 points for West Virginia. Darris Nichols had 11 points.

North Carolina State was led by Courtney Fells with 17 points.

The Mountaineers forced 17 turnovers that resulted in 17 points.

The Wolfpack started 0-10 from the floor as West Virginia built a 9-2 lead with 16 minutes left in the first half. Devan Bawinkels 3-pointer with 5:27 remaining in the half gave West Virginia a 21-12 lead. North Carolina State answered with an 11-2 run that tied the game at 23-23 with 2:46 left and the score remained tied at halftime at 28-28.

Six of West Virginia’s first nine field goals in the second half were 3-pointers.

Wednesday’s game was played at the Charleston Civic Center, where West Virginia is 6-2 under fifth-year coach John Beilein.