RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- No. 25 NC State, newly ranked in this week's poll, survived its toughest test of the young season, outlasting pesky VCU 85-79 on Monday night.

For the first time in four games, the Wolfpack (4-0) wasn't able to run away from its opponent, but in what felt like an NCAA tournament game, they found a way to grind it out against the Rams (2-2).

Box Score

ACC Preseason Player of the Year Darrion Williams led NC State with 28 points, and the Pack needed every one of them. Paul McNeil Jr., coming off a 27-point performance against UNCG, failed to score, missing all four of his field goals.

Tre Holloman picked up the slack, though, pouring in 25 points, including 3-of-6 3s, and a perfect 10-10 at the free-throw line.

Matt Able had 12 points off the bench and Ven-Allen

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