GAME NOTES: Hoping to stop a two-game slide, the NC State Wolfpack will use the comforts of PNC Arena as the backdrop for an Atlantic Coast Conference clash against the Clemson Tigers on Wednesday.

NC State has dropped two straight decisions, and three of its last four overall have resulted in losses. The team is coming off a heartbreaking 81-78 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame at home, which set the Wolfpack back to 13-8 on the season and 3-2 in conference play. NC State is 12-4 at home this year.

Clemson took a narrow decision against Wake Forest on Saturday, 59-57, which was the team's second win in its last three games. The win over the Demon Deacons was the Tigers' third in ACC play this season, but they'll have to overcome a 1-3 road record against the Wolfpack.

NC State leads Clemson in the all-time series between the two sides, 99-59. The Tigers had the last laugh, however, after they took a 73-56 decision in the only meeting between the programs last year.

When it comes to thrilling victories this season, Clemson's win over Wake Forest on Saturday could be right up there at the top of the list. With half a second to play in regulation, Josh Smith converted on a put-back shot to lift his Tigers past the Demon Deacons by the two-point margin, handing Clemson the victory. The Tigers shot only 35.1 percent from the floor in the game, but were led in scoring by Donte Grantham's 13 points. Grantham also added seven rebounds in the contest. Jordan Roper was the only other Clemson player in double figures in the win, adding 12 points.

Jaron Blossomgame contributed eight points in Clemson's edging of Wake Forest, but the forward still leads the team in scoring at 13.3 ppg, adding in a team- high 8.2 boards per outing. Grantham is the only other Clemson player averaging double figures in the scoring department this season at 10.1 ppg for an offense that has been sputtering throughout its first 19 games. The Tigers rank last in the ACC in scoring offense, averaging just 62.8 ppg on 41.1 percent shooting from the floor. Good thing the team's defense has been strong, surrendering just 61.5 ppg to opponents.

NC State was phenomenal in the first half of Sunday's game against eighth- ranked Notre Dame. The Wolfpack connected on a blistering 62.1 percent shooting in the opening period to take a commanding 42-30 lead into the intermission. But the wheels came off the cart in the second half, and the Fighting Irish were able to tie the score up at the end of regulation, 71-71, and then went on to take NC State down in the extra session. Trevor Lacey led the team in scoring with 13 points, adding in seven assists and six rebounds. Kyle Washington and Caleb Martin each netted 12 points in the loss for NC State, while Ralston Turner scored 11 points and Cody Martin chipped in with 10 points.

Lacey, who is playing in his first eligible season with the Wolfpack after transferring over from Alabama, is having a stellar campaign for an NC State team looking to replace the ACC's best scorer from a year ago in T.J. Warren. Lacey is chipping in 16.5 ppg to lead the squad, followed by Turner's mark of 13.4 ppg and Anthony Barber's 10.4 ppg. The Wolfpack as a whole are scoring 72.3 ppg this season, and are limiting opponents to 65.0 ppg on 39.5 percent shooting from the field. Barber tops the Wolfpack with 73 assists on the season, and Lennard Freeman is pulling down a team-best 5.9 rpg. Beejay Anya leads the team and the ACC in blocked shots, averaging 2.8 per outing.

Going up against Clemson's low-scoring offense in front of their home crowd could be exactly what the Wolfpack need to get back on the winning track as they continue conference play.