news-record.com

RALEIGH — On a day when four of N.C. State's five starters scored in double figures, perhaps the most important statistical line of the game was this one:

Two points, two rebounds and one assist in 7 minutes off the bench.

And, no, it's not the numbers. It's who put them up.

Prized freshman Richard Howell, back from preseason knee surgery, finally made his debut for the Wolfpack in a 69-52 victory over New Orleans at the RBC Center on Sunday afternoon.

Tracy Smith scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Wolfpack (5-0), which started the game on a 14-3 scoring run and never trailed.

Javier Gonzalez finished with 13 points and eight assists, C.J. Williams scored 12 points and Dennis Horner added 10.

But none of the leading scorers were happier than Howell, who hurt his left knee in a pickup game and had surgery in the first week of October.

"I've been anxious to get on the court for a while now," said Howell, a 6-foot-8, 266-pound power forward. "Since I committed to this school, I've been really anxious to get on the court. I recovered very fast, and I'm just happy to be playing. It's a dream come true."

Howell missed all of N.C. State's preseason practices as well as the first four games.

"It hurt so bad just sitting on the bench watching the team, knowing how you could help them in different ways," he said. "But it was a learning experience. I think I was set back more by (missing preseason) than the games. I had to get caught up on the plays and my stamina. ... The main part was learning the plays. It was hard for me to remember because it's new stuff every day. I think I've picked it up pretty well."

Howell made his college debut 4:17 into the second half with N.C. State leading by seven.

"When (coach Sidney Lowe) said my name, I didn't think he said it," Howell said. "I thought he made a mistake or something. I was kind of nervous waiting at the (scorer's) table. I was thinking, 'What am I going to do when I get the ball? How am I going to help the team?' But after I got in there, it kind of went away."

Howell didn't look nervous. He drew a foul after just 47 seconds of playing time, and he sank both free throws.

Two minutes later, Howell got the ball in the low post, drew a double-team and kicked a pass back out to Gonzalez for an open 3-pointer.

Gonzalez hit back-to-back three pointers and had an assist on Smith's layup to start a pivotal 11-0 scoring run that built N.C. State's lead to 18 points with less than 10 minutes left.

From there, the Wolfpack pushed the lead to as many as 27 and coasted to an easy win over New Orleans (3-2).

"I think it was our defense," Lowe said. "We got after them and didn't give them anything easy."

Privateers guard Billy Humphrey came in averaging 21.5 points per game, but N.C. State freshman Scott Wood drew the primary defensive assignment and the Wolfpack held Humphrey to four points on 2-for-8 shooting.

Smith, who came in averaging a double-double of 15.3 points and 11 rebounds, had another big game in the low post. But the Wolfpack's 6-8 junior power forward said he looks forward to sharing the load with Howell.

"Richard's coming back from that surgery on his knee," Smith said, "but the last couple of practices he's been going really hard, diving on the floor for loose balls, getting offensive rebounds and pretty much out-physicalling the rest of us. I was so ready for him to step on the court and show what he can do.

"He takes a lot of pressure off me and the other bigs," Smith added. "Richard could be really good. You don't see many 6-8, 260-pound power forwards as quick as he is or who can put the ball on the floor like he can. He can shoot the ball a little bit, too. I just think he's going to be really solid for us."

If Smith is right, then it all started with two points, two rebounds and one assist in 7 minutes off the bench.

NOTES: Johnny Thomas, a 6-6 sophomore forward from Greensboro Day, played 3 minutes late in the second half. Thomas, who didn't score, was a healthy scratch from the Wolfpack's first four games. ... N.C. State senior Farnold Degand watched from the bench in street clothes. Degand, who would start at shooting guard, has sat out all five games with academic problems. Coach Sidney Lowe said Degand is eligible by NCAA standards, but the player has not met the coach's standards. ... N.C. State is 81-9 in non-conference games at the RBC Center since the building opened in 1999. ... Lowe is 18-2 in November games since taking the N.C. State job in 2006. ... N.C. State assistant coach Monte Towe was the head coach at New Orleans for five seasons, leaving in May 2006 to join Lowe's staff at his alma mater. ... New Orleans was picked to finish last in the West Division in the Sun Belt preseason coaches poll. ... New Orleans has lost 12 road games in a row dating back to last season.

Contact Jeff Mills at 373-7024 or jeff.mills@news-record.com

NEW ORLEANS (3-2) — Blair 4-11 0-0 9, Tyrna 1-4 0-0 2, Carmouche 6-15 3-4 16, Humphrey 2-8 0-0 4, Hart 3-8 0-0 6, Mpondo 2-6 0-0 4, Damachoua 0-2 0-0 0, McDonald 3-5 0-0 9, Diggs 0-1 0-0 0, Lewis 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 22-63 3-4 52.

N.C. STATE (5-0) — Gonzalez 3-8 5-8 13, Wood 1-2 2-2 5, Williams 4-6 1-1 12, T.Smith 8-12 4-5 20, Horner 3-7 3-4 10, Howell 0-1 2-3 2, Kufuor 0-0 0-0 0, Painter 0-2 0-0 0, Vandenberg 0-0 0-0 0, Davis 1-2 0-0 2, Mays 1-3 2-2 5, Thomas 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-44 19-25 69.

Halftime—N.C. State 34-24.
3-point goals—New Orleans 5-16 (McDonald 3-5, Carmouche 1-3, Blair 1-3, Diggs 0-1, Humphrey 0-1, Tyrna 0-1, Damachoua 0-2), N.C. State 8-16 (Williams 3-5, Gonzalez 2-5, Wood 1-2, Mays 1-2, Horner 1-2). \
Fouled out—None.
Rebounds—New Orleans 33 (Carmouche 8), N.C. State 33 (T.Smith 8).
Assists—New Orleans 9 (Humphrey 3), N.C. State 13 (Gonzalez 8).
Total fouls—New Orleans 23, N.C. State 9.
A—11,027.