Gameday Live Blog/Open Thread: State at No. 12 Auburn

Updates and analysis from tonight's game between the Wolfpack and Tigers

Disclaimer: I am not in Alabama for the game. I'll be watching on television from home, just like the rest of you. I will, however, provide updates and analysis as always. So check back frequently as the night progresses.

This is a very big game for NC State. It's a Quad 1 opportunity on the road against a highly-ranked opponent that went to the Final Four a year ago. It's also the Wolfpack's last chance to add a resume building nonconference victory before it dives into the meat of the ACC schedule in a couple of weeks.

Jericole Hellems is back in the starting lineup, joined by Markell Johnson, Braxton Beverly, C.J. Bryce and Manny Bates.

Bruce Pearl going all #GoSEC in his pregame locker room speech shown by ESPN2. Interesting approach ….

Tipoff is only moments away. Here we go ...

First half

Dangerous start with Johnson picking up a foul just 14 seconds in. State's offense isn't the same without its point guard running the show. Case in point: Johnson was plus-22 when he was on the floor against UNC Greensboro last Sunday. The next highest total for the Wolfpack was Hellems at plus-3  ...

First TV timeout: Wolfpack is off to a solid start on the road, up 10-8 ...

State off to a cold shooting start from all distances ... 7 of 18 overall, 1 of 4 from 3 and 1 of 4 from the line. Also three turnovers. Wolfpack is going to have to tighten up. The good news is that it's only down 17-16 at the under 12 TV timeout ...

Back-to-back treys by Auburn and a 7-0 run leads Keatts to call a timeout. After taking the crowd out of it early, State have let both the Tigers and their fans back into this one ... 

This has the makings of a similar lull that took the Wolfpack out of the game early against Memphis  .... It's now a 11-0 run. Auburn up 25-16 ...

Johnson is 2 of 5 from the line tonight. Maybe he should try them from halfcourt ...

After spending about eight minutes BSing with Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn, maybe now the ESPN2 announcers will finally realize there's a basketball game going in. And oh by the way, State has weathered the storm and is back to within 28-25 at the under-8 ...

Wolfpack regains the lead on the strength of a 15-2 run ... Funderburk is off to a very strong start. Eight points, two rebounds. It's now a 17-2 run and State is up 33-28 ...

I know Johnson is gassed, but Keatts has to get him back in there. Wolfpack isn't the same team when he's not on the court. Auburn has scored five straight since he came out, tying the score at 33. The under-4 TV timeout comes at a good time ...

Johnson is down after getting clobbered on a drive in the lane. Hopefully this is like the scare at UNCG on Sunday and he gets up quickly. .... Thankfull, that's the case. And he finally makes two free throws  ...

Johnson should have shot it instead of passing to Andree at the buzzer ... State didn't finish the half strong, but is still in good shape, down by only 1 at 38-37 after 20 minutes.

Second half

Looks like Bates may have tweaked his shoulder on that foul. That's a scary situation since he missed the last two seasons with shoulder surgeries and wears a harness to keep from injuring it again. ...

Wolfpack once again trying to let this one get away, outscored 7-3 to start the half. Can't did another hole and expect to keep climbing out like in the first half ...

Andree clutch again ... big three there ... And then he gets carried away an fires off an ill-advised trey from about 30 feet.  ...

Markell to the rim, scoring through contact and one … man, he's good. State needs him to attack more in this second half. Wolfpack back to within 48-46. And now a 3 for the lead, Johnson taking over the way he did last season ...

Good to see Bates out there looing like he's okay ...

Daniels got pushed on the rebound, but no call ... Auburn ball up 55-52 at the under 12

And now Daniels fouls out with 10 1/2 minutes still left. Not sure why he was still in the game at that point, Total of 40 fouls have already been called between the teams (21 on State, 19 on Auburn) ...

Hellems hits the side of the backboard on an open 3 from the corner. He's still not himself after that concussion -- 0 for 7 tonight (o for 4 on 3s) .... 1 point ...

Beverly to the rim and the Wolfpack leads 64-62 with five minutes left. Can State finally close one of these out?

Not by giving up six straight points, it won't ... Auburn back up 68-64 with 3:30 left

I still don't understand how it's a held ball and not a foul when a guy is on the floor and everyone falls on top of him to try and tie him up ....

Now eight straight Auburn points. State hasn't scored in three minutes  .. And 10 in a row. Wolfpack imploding. Seen this movie before. It never ends well ....

First Daniels, now Bryce fouls out with 1:38 left. He's got 21 points. Wolfpack about to go down on the road in another game that was there for the taking ...

10 assists for Johnson … but he's 4 of 10 from the line. State trails by five. You do the math

Final: Auburn 79, State 73 … another opportunity for a resume win wasted