RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Allerik Freeman scored 17 points to help North Carolina State beat VMI 102-67 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Torin Dorn added 16 points and Lennard Freeman had 15 for the Wolfpack, who never trailed in Kevin Keatts' debut as their head coach.
Seven N.C. State players scored in double figures as the team cracked 100 points in a season opener for the first time since a 104-78 win over VMI in 1995.
N.C. State began the game with an 11-2 spurt and extended the margin to 23-4 eight minutes into the contest.
The Wolfpack shot 51 percent from the floor, including 54 percent in the first half as they took a 56-34 lead into halftime.
Markell Johnson scored 14 points and Omer Yurtseven had 13 points for N.C. State.
Bubba Parham scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead VMI.
Tyler Creammer and Keith Smith added 10 points each for the Keydets.
VMI shot just 36 percent, including 4 of 20 from 3-point range.
BIG PICTURE
VMI: The Keydets knew they had some retooling to do after losing four of their top five scorers from a year ago. They started four sophomores and a freshman against N.C. State, and the inexperience was evident in their slow start to the game.
N.C. State: As advertised, the Wolfpack have a quicker tempo under Keatts. They pressed after made baskets and trapped after a missed free throw on one occasion. N.C. State forced 21 turnovers and dominated inside, just what it was supposed to do on its home floor against an overmatched opponent.
UP NEXT
VMI plays at Duquesne on Tuesday before playing its home opener against Presbyterian on Nov. 18.
N.C. State hosts Charleston Southern on Sunday in the second leg of a four-game homestand to open the season.
NC State rolls over VMI in Keatts' debut
Allerik Freeman scored 17 points to help North Carolina State beat VMI 102-67 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
