news-record.com

RALEIGH (AP) — Mark Gottfried couldn't make it through his first game at N.C. State without ripping off his jacket and throwing it to the ground in disgust at an official's call — twice. Then again, Gottfried's new program has been in desperate need of that kind of passion and spark.

Senior C.J. Williams had a career-high 18 points to help the Wolfpack beat UNC Asheville 84-75 on Friday night in Gottfried's debut.

Richard Howell added 14 points and 15 rebounds for N.C. State, which had relatively little trouble against a veteran team coming off an NCAA tournament appearance. The Wolfpack dominated the boards and repeatedly got out in transition, taking a double-digit lead barely 4 minutes into the game and maintaining a comfortable lead the rest of the night.

It was a good start for Gottfried, who had spent the past two seasons as a TV analyst after 11 years as coach at Alabama.

"I was anxious all day for me and for our team," Gottfried said. "So it was fun. I've always felt like that's where I belong. I've said it many times: I loved television but I like to be on this side of the court than that side. I'll do that later on in life."

Gottfried certainly looked recharged, spending much of the game on his feet and actively pacing the sideline while yelling instructions to his players. N.C. State never let the Bulldogs (0-1) closer than six points after that early flurry, running the lead out to as many as 19 points late in the first half and never letting the lead slip below seven after halftime.

N.C. State was shorthanded for this one after the school announced shortly before tipoff that sophomore forward C.J. Leslie would miss three games after he and a relative received $410 in improper benefits. In addition, freshman reserve Thomas de Thaey didn't play because the school is working to ensure the Belgium native doesn't have any amateur eligibility issues from overseas.

But Howell stepped up, showing plenty of energy and improved mobility after losing about 20 pounds in the offseason. Meanwhile, Williams and Lorenzo Brown thrived in the Wolfpack's faster offense.

N.C. State had a 23-7 edge in fast-break points behind Brown, who had 13 points, nine assists and eight steals — all in the first half — at the point.

"I like to get out and run," Williams said. "I like to stretch the floor because if we make a team have to sprint back, if they stop us on the fast break, now they're a little more tired than they normally would be."

N.C. State's zeal to get out in transition under Gottfried was probably the most noticeable difference from the past five seasons under Sidney Lowe, whose teams never lived up to potential nor made it to the NCAA tournament. Then there was Gottfried's self-described "animated" disagreement with the officiating in the second half.

After a borderline foul on Scott Wood in the second half, Gottfried ripped off his black suitcoat and threw it angrily to his chair. Seconds later, Gottfried sat down in the chair and — for good measure — grabbed the coat with both hands and spiked it down again between his feet on the sideline. He coached the rest of the game in his white dress shirt and red N.C. State tie.

His players noticed his reaction, which seemed more suited for an early-February conference game than opening night.

"I think that's a good sign," Howell said. "I think that definitely shows he's into it. He's not just going through the motions. He's in there with us."

Still, Howell also had a hard time suppressing a smile at the time.

"I try not to laugh when Coach Gottfried makes those types of faces," he said, "but it's kind of hard."

Matt Dickey scored 17 to lead the Bulldogs, who follow this game with another Atlantic Coast Conference opponent — top-ranked North Carolina — at home Sunday. UNC Asheville shot 35 percent, though it missed 11 of 12 to open the game and fall behind early.

"It's hard to be down (19) and make it up, and then keep making it up," said Bulldogs coach Eddie Biedenbach, a former N.C. State player and assistant coach. "N.C. State's a better team than they've been before, but we weren't mentally ready to play hard for 40 minutes. We were still playing Division II warm-up games."

N.C. State finished with a 50-36 rebounding advantage and shot 44 percent.and fall behind early.

UNC ASHEVILLE (0-1)

Dickey 4-9 8-9 17, Stephenson 5-11 0-0 11, Lane 4-13 3-5 13, Primm 2-13 4-4 9, Jackson 3-6 1-2 9, Atkinson 3-8 3-5 11, Hornsby 1-2 0-1 3, Meyer 0-2 0-0 0, Nwannunu 0-1 0-0 0, Roberts 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 23-66 19-26 75.<

N.C. STATE (1-0)

Wood 3-6 0-0 8, Howell 4-14 6-6 14, Brown 4-12 4-4 13, Vandenberg 1-2 0-1 2, Williams 8-10 1-1 18, Painter 4-6 4-8 12, Johnson 2-12 4-6 9, Harris 3-4 1-2 8. Totals 29-66 20-28 84.<

Halftime—N.C. State 44-27.

3-point goals—UNC Asheville 10-25 (Jackson 2-2, Atkinson 2-3, Lane 2-4, Stephenson 1-2, Hornsby 1-2, Dickey 1-4, Primm 1-7, Meyer 0-1), N.C. State 6-19 (Wood 2-4, Harris 1-1, Williams 1-2, Johnson 1-6, Brown 1-6).

Fouled out—None.

Rebounds—UNC Asheville 36 (Lane 8), N.C. State 50 (Howell 15).

Assists—UNC Asheville 10 (Dickey 4), N.C. State 21 (Brown 9).

Total fouls—UNC Asheville 21, N.C. State 18.

A—12,441.