VCU fought #25 NC State to the wire before falling, 85-79, on Monday night down in Raleigh.
The game was tight throughout, the margin never getting to double-digits on the night, and staying in one-score range into the final couple of minutes.
A Jadrian Tracey three with 1:59 to go cut the deficit to two, at 78-76.
A Quadir Copeland free throw – he went 1-of-2 on the trip – pushed the State lead to three at the 1:37 mark.
Tracey then missed a pair of potential game-tying threes, the first with 1:01 to go, the second with 18 seconds left.
Tre Holloman converted a pair of free throws to get the lead to five for NC State (4-0).
The Rams (2-2) hung around, getting a three with 11 seconds on the clock from Barry Evans, before State was able to close things out at the foul line.
Evans had 18 points (6-of-12 FG, 3-of-7 3FG) for VCU, which got 16 points from Tracey (5-of-12 FG, 4-of-9 3FG).
Darrion Williams led NC State with 28 points. Holloman had 25.
VCU returns home for its next game to face Coppin State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. That contest will air on MASN.
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Chris Graham
