Sports

Photos: NC State defeats Oakland in OT in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

By Kaitlin McKeown

Updated March 24, 2024 9:51 AM

N.C. State’s Casey Morsell and DJ Burns Jr. celebrate in the closing seconds of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win over Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Casey Morsell and DJ Burns Jr. celebrate in the closing seconds of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win over Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

The NC State Wolfpack defeated the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 79-73 in overtime in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Saturday night, March 23, in Pittsburgh.

This will be the first Sweet 16 appearance for the Wolfpack since 2015. NC State has won seven games in 12 days.

The Wolfpack will face the winner of Colorado vs. Marquette, played Sunday at 12:10 p.m.

N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell and Jayden Taylor celebrate following the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell and Jayden Taylor celebrate following the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts celebrates with athletic director Boo Corrigan following the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts celebrates with athletic director Boo Corrigan following the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Ben Middlebrooks reacts following an Oakland turnover during overtime in the Wolfpack’s 79-73 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Ben Middlebrooks reacts following an Oakland turnover during overtime in the Wolfpack’s 79-73 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Breon Pass, center, smiles while holding a March Madness sign in the locker room following the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Breon Pass, center, smiles while holding a March Madness sign in the locker room following the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell reacts in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell reacts in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. is fouled by Oakland’s Blake Lampman during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. is fouled by Oakland’s Blake Lampman during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. drives to the basket against Oakland’s Jack Gohlke and Chris Conway during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. drives to the basket against Oakland’s Jack Gohlke and Chris Conway during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. pulls down a rebound in front of Oakland’s Blake Lampman during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. pulls down a rebound in front of Oakland’s Blake Lampman during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s DJ Horne looks to pass around Oakland’s Chris Conway and DQ Cole during overtime of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s DJ Horne looks to pass around Oakland’s Chris Conway and DQ Cole during overtime of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

A young N.C. State fan watches during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — A young N.C. State fan watches during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Jayden Taylor reacts after knocking down a three-point basket during overtime of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Jayden Taylor reacts after knocking down a three-point basket during overtime of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell handles the ball under pressure during the first half of the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell handles the ball under pressure during the first half of the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State fans react late in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State fans react late in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Ben Middlebrooks is fouled by Oakland’s Tuburu Naivalurua during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Ben Middlebrooks is fouled by Oakland’s Tuburu Naivalurua during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra slams in two during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra slams in two during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win against Oakland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Ben Middlebrooks grabs a rebound over Oakland’s Chris Conway during the first half of the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Ben Middlebrooks grabs a rebound over Oakland’s Chris Conway during the first half of the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

Oakland’s DQ Cole and N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. scramble for a loose ball during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — Oakland’s DQ Cole and N.C. State’s DJ Burns Jr. scramble for a loose ball during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts reacts on the sidelines during the first half of the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts reacts on the sidelines during the first half of the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra pressures Oakland’s Trey Townsend during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Mohamed Diarra pressures Oakland’s Trey Townsend during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell pressures Oakland’s Blake Lampman during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Michael O’Connell pressures Oakland’s Blake Lampman during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 79-73 overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Ernest Ross high-fives fans as the Wolfpack take the court prior to their NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Ernest Ross high-fives fans as the Wolfpack take the court prior to their NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Alex Nunnally and DJ Burns, Jr. walk the tunnel to the court prior to the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. — N.C. State’s Alex Nunnally and DJ Burns, Jr. walk the tunnel to the court prior to the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament second round game against Oakland on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published March 23, 2024 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Photos: NC State defeats Oakland in OT in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament."