North Carolina State beats Austin Peay 66-59

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tracy Smith’s three-point play in the final minute helped North Carolina State thwart a late comeback bid by Austin Peay and escape with a 66-59 victory on Saturday night.

Smith hadn’t been a factor in the second half because of foul trouble at the Glenn Wilkes Classic. But after the Wolfpack (3-0) saw a 16-point halftime lead trimmed to four with 1:06 remaining, the junior forward scored on a putback and also hit the free throw after he was fouled on the shot.

The Governors (1-3) trailed 37-21 at halftime before nearly pulling off a repeat of their win at Akron a week ago in which they came back from 15 down in the second half.

Smith finished with 16 points and Dennis Horner scored 15 for N.C. State.

Smith, one of two returning starters from last season, had 11 points and five rebounds in the first half, but picked up his third foul 6 minutes into the second half.