College basketball roundup: Smith, Hellems combine for 11 3s, NC State beats Louisville

UNCW, Campbell, NC A&T and Gardner-Webb all picked up wins

NC State guard Casey Morsell taps the ball away from Louisville guard Noah Locke during the Wolfpack's win Wednesday at Louisville. (Timothy D. Easley / AP Photo)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Freshman Terquavion Smith scored 24 points, Jericole Hellems added 19 and the duo combined for 11 of NC State’s 12 3-pointers in a 79-63 victory over Louisville on Wednesday night.

NC State (9-8, 2-4 ACC), coached by former Louisville assistant coach Kevin Keatts, won just its third game at Louisville in 10 attempts. The Cardinals had won six of the last seven overall.

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Smith made three 3-pointers during a 16-0 run, including two on back-to-back possessions, for a 31-18 lead. The Wolfpack started 7 of 13 from 3-point range and finished 12 of 25 (48%) after entering averaging 32% behind the arc.

NC State opened the second half on a 8-0 run for a 16-point lead and Smith made their 10th 3-pointer for a 64-55 lead with 5:30 remaining. Hellems made his first 3-pointer of the second half, after making 4 of 6 before halftime, for a 69-58 lead.

Dereon Seabron had 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists for NC State. Smith was 9 of 13 from the field, 6 of 9 behind the arc, to finish three points shy of his season high. Hellems was 7 of 10, going 5 for 7 from deep.

Seabron attempted NC State’s first free throw of the game with 4:13 remaining in the second half. The Cardinals attempted 18 free throws compared to six for the Wolfpack.

Sydney Curry, averaging 2.8 points per game and 7 minutes, scored 22 points in 24 minutes for Louisville (10-6, 4-2). Noah Locke and Dre Davis each added 13 points.

NC State stays on the road to face No. 8 Duke on Saturday. Louisville plays at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

UNC Wilmington 73, Elon 66

WILMINGTON — Jaylen Sims had 20 points as UNC Wilmington beat Elon 73-66 on Wednesday night.

Mike Okauru had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for UNC Wilmington (8-5, 2-0 Colonial Athletic Association), which earned its fifth straight victory. Shykeim Phillips added 11 points, and James Baker Jr. had 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Darius Burford tied a season high with 23 points for the Phoenix (4-12, 1-2). Hunter Woods added 14 points and seven rebounds, and Michael Graham had 12 points and three blocks.

Gardner-Webb 64, Presbyterian 61

BOILING SPRINGS — D’Maurian Williams had 16 points and six rebounds as Gardner-Webb edged past Presbyterian 64-61 on Wednesday night.

Lance Terry had 15 points for Gardner-Webb (9-7, 3-0 Big South Conference), which earned its fifth straight win. Anthony Selden added 11 points.

Rayshon Harrison had 21 points for the Blue Hose (8-10, 0-3). Marquis Barnett added 13 points and seven rebounds. Winston Hill had 10 points and seven rebounds.

NC A&T 67, Hampton 59

GREENSBORO — Tyler Maye had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lift North Carolina A&T to a 67-59 win over Hampton on Wednesday night.

Justin Brooks had 12 points and six rebounds for North Carolina A&T (8-9, 3-0 Big South Conference), which won its fourth consecutive game. Jeremy Robinson added 11 points and Marcus Watson had seven rebounds.

Raymond Bethea Jr. scored a career-high 21 points and had 10 rebounds for the Pirates (4-9, 0-2). Marquis Godwin added 10 points and six rebounds.

Campbell 67, Charleston Southern 52

BUIES CREEK — Jordan Whitfield had 18 points as Campbell beat Charleston Southern 67-52 on Wednesday night.

Cedric Henderson Jr. had 16 points for Campbell (8-6, 1-2 Big South Conference), which snapped its four-game losing streak. Ricky Clemons added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Tahlik Chavez had 17 points for the Buccaneers (3-12, 0-3), who have now lost six games in a row. Claudell Harris Jr. added six rebounds.

Cincinnati 79, East Carolina 71

CINCINNATI — Jeremiah Davenport matched his season high with 22 points as Cincinnati beat East Carolina 79-71 on Wednesday night.

John Newman III scored 10 points, Viktor Lakhin grabbed seven rebounds and Abdul Ado blocked three shots for Cincinnati (12-5, 2-2 American Athletic Conference).

The Bearcats scored a season-high 49 points in the first half.

Vance Jackson scored a career-high 35 points and had nine rebounds for the Pirates (10-5, 1-2). Tristen Newton added 11 points.

South Carolina Upstate 66, High Point 65

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Jordan Gainey scored 17 points and Dalvin White sank a 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds left as South Carolina Upstate edged past High Point 66-65 on Wednesday night.

White added 12 points for the Spartans (5-10, 2-1 Big South). Mysta Goodloe chipped in 11 and Bryson Mozone and Floyd Rideau Jr. each had 10. White also had seven assists, while Mozone posted eight rebounds.

Alex Holt had 16 points for the Panthers (6-9, 0-1). Bryson Childress added 15 points and John-Michael Wright had 12 points.