CJ Bryce leads NC State to rout of St. Francis (NY)
The lead pass from Markell Johnson was a perfect setup for a breakaway dunk for C.J. Bryce.
The N.C. State senior guard went up, got to the rim and decided to take the two points. Instead of missing a dunk, Bryce dropped the ball into the basket for two of his game-high 22 points.
A dunk was the only thing missing from Bryce’s game on Saturday afternoon. He also had 11 rebounds and three steals in a 95-64 win over St. Francis (N.Y.).
“It’s coming soon,” Bryce said of an in-game slam.
Everything Bryce has done for the Wolfpack (3-1) has been just fine and much-needed with all the moving parts around him.
Bryce leads the team in scoring (20.2 points per game) and rebounding (8.5). With Johnson missing the opener with an ankle injury and forward D.J. Funderburk missing two games with a suspension, Bryce has embraced the leadership role.
Bryce began his career at UNC-Wilmington with coach Kevin Keatts and transferred after the 2016-17 season. It can be tricky for transfers to step in and immediately become leaders, Keatts said. The coach urged the 6-5 guard from Charlotte to do more this year, his second on the court and third in the program.
“He and I have talked about taking some ownership in N.C. State now,” Keatts said. “You have a voice in the locker room and be that voice. I think he is starting to embrace those type of things.”
The red jacket and Gucci wolf-head loafers were back for Keatts for N.C. State’s return to Reynolds Coliseum. There was more of Keatts’ preferred up-tempo style on the court , too.
After a struggle with Florida International on Wednesday night at PNC Arena, the Wolfpack was able to use its press to push tempo against the Northeast Conference foe.
“I think we’re getting better,” Keatts said.
A big part of that is just getting all the pieces on the floor together. In his second game back, Funderburk added 17 points and seven rebounds. Johnson had nine assists, a couple for easy dunks to freshman forward Manny Bates (12 points).
Bryce has been the constant. His layup at 15:37 in the second half put N.C. State up 58-37 and prompted St. Francis coach Glenn Braica to call a timeout. The crowd at Reynolds Coliseum was appreciative of the 14-3 run the Wolfpack used to break the game open to start the second half.
Keatts, who has coached Bryce’s entire career at both college stops, has seen Bryce dunk in a game.
“He can but he’s older,” Keatts said.
Older and wise enough to know when to take the points and when to put on a show.
And one
N.C. State improved to 17-1 in regular-season home games at Reynolds Coliseum since it moved to PNC Arena in 1999.
Lane violation
Johnson had nine assists but continues to struggle to find his shot. The senior guard missed the first game of the season with an ankle injury and has shot 22.8 percent (8 of 35) in the three games he has played. He was 4 of 13 from the floor on Saturday.
“It’s just all about rhythm right now,” Johnson said. “I’m not too worried about it. It’s early in the season.”
Keatts said he wasn’t about to panic, either.
“He’ll be fine,” Keatts said. “I don’t worry guys like Markell because the next game it could click for him.”
ICYMI
Jerry Heater, a veteran ACC referee, worked N.C. State’s home win over Detroit on Nov. 10. His son, Nick, worked Saturday’s game.
Making sense of the numbers
29 N.C. State forced 20 turnovers and scored 29 points off of turnovers.
This story was originally published November 16, 2019 at 2:01 PM with the headline "CJ Bryce leads NC State to rout of St. Francis (NY)."
