Close finally counts as win

Wong scores 24 as ’Canes edge Wolfpack

RALEIGH, N.C. — Isaiah Wong scored 24 points and Earl Timberlake had six of his career-high 13 in the last 68 seconds as Miami finally won a close game, defeating North Carolina State 64-59 on Saturday.

Wong had a layup during an 8-0 run inside the last four minutes that put the Hurricanes, who lost their previous three games by a total of five points, ahead 58-54. Timberlake capped the run from the foul line with 1 minute, 8 seconds to play.

The Wolfpack got a quick

3-pointer from Thomas Allen in the right corner, his fourth, to make it a one-point game. Miami ran the clock down before Wong missed a layup, but Timberlake grabbed the rebound and slammed it home.

Seconds later he grabbed a Wolfpack miss and was fouled. The freshman calmly made two at the line for a 62-57 lead.

Wong added free throws after N.C. State missed for a 14-3 closing run before DJ Funderburk scored at the buzzer.

The Hurricanes (5-5, 1-4 ACC) were coming off losses of

80-78 to Virginia Tech, 66-65 to Clemson and 67-65 to North Carolina.

Allen scored 14 points to lead the Wolfpack (6-3, 2-2). Funderburk scored 12 and matched his career high with

11 rebounds, and Devon Daniels added 11 points.

N.C. State’s last three games were decided by a total of 10 points, including two wins.