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In Syracuse’s last game, its offense exploded early to take a 16-point first-half lead against Pittsburgh. However, the Panthers stormed back and outscored the Orange by 18 on a 62.5% shooting clip in the second half to hand SU its third-straight loss.

Against NC State on Wednesday, Syracuse jumped out to a 38-25 lead in the first 20 minutes. The Orange shot 50% from the field compared to the Wolfpack’s 30% clip, allowing them to control the game in the first.

In the second half, the Wolfpack pulled within nine points, but the Orange continued their hot shooting. SU turned to J.J. Starling and Jyáre Davis, who combined for 32 points in the contest, to pull out the victory. The win helps Syracuse improve its chances of making the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament with three games left.

Here are some observations from Syracuse’s (12-16, 6-11 ACC) 74-60 win over NC State (11-17, 4-13 ACC):

Furious attack of the rim

Syracuse jumped out to a 13-3 lead after five minutes by attacking the paint. On its first possession, Starling drove and missed, but Davis collected the board and put it back for the conversion.

On the other end, Davis pulled down a defensive rebound, which led to a fast break floater by Jaquan Carlos to give SU a 4-0 lead. By finding success in the paint, scoring chances opened for the Orange on the perimeter. Starling drove baseline and found Davis for 3 to extend Syracuse’s lead to 7-1 out of the gate.

Eddie Lampkin Jr. and Starling helped orchestrate a 6-0 scoring run for the Orange. Lampkin was a problem for Ben Middlebrooks inside, netting two shots from close range during the run.

When SU gave Lampkin a rest just under 15 minutes into the half, Naheem McLeod continued to dominate the paint. The Orange turned to McLeod, and he delivered on two straight possessions, scoring his second basket on an emphatic dunk to lift SU ahead 17-8 just ahead of the 12-minute mark in the first half.

Depth shines

At halftime, Syracuse had eight different scorers. The Orange shot 50% to lead 38-25 after the first 20 minutes.

Four of SU’s five starters scored in the first five minutes, and its bench added on to build a 28-12 lead at the 7:40 mark of the first half.

After McLeod’s production inside, Carlos drained a mid-range jumper at the end of the shot clock. Then, Kyle Cuffe Jr. took the ball the length of the floor for a fast break layup, becoming SU’s sixth different scorer.

At the 9:20 minute mark of the first half, Chris Bell hit a jumper before converting an and-one to cap a 13-4 run.

The Wolfpack responded with a 4-2 run, but Lampkin checked back in and scored five straight points for the Orange to help them maintain their lead. In the final minutes of the half, Lucas Taylor became the eighth different scorer for SU. He swished a 3 on the left wing, then Davis found him for a layup. SU was firing on all cylinders, scoring 22 points in the paint in the first half.

Defense shows up

In recent games, Syracuse was torn apart defensively. It allowed at least 80 points in each of the last five games. But the Orange didn’t let that happen against the Wolfpack.

Early on, SU made its presence felt in the paint. It registered 16 defensive rebounds in the first half and recorded four steals. Petar Majstorovic was SU’s only player who got minutes and didn’t score in the first half, but he made an impact defensively. Majstorovic swiped Syracuse’s first steal of the contest, part of its 6-0 run midway through the first half.

A couple of minutes later, with SU leading 23-12, McLeod recorded its first block, denying a shot by Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. McLeod and Starling each notched steals in the first half, too.

In the second half, Majstorovic recorded his second steal, and Taylor picked the pocket of Middlebrooks. SU allowed just 60 points in the contest, its fewest points allowed since Jan. 7 against Georgia Tech.

Davis, Starling power 2nd half

Entering the second half with a 13-point advantage, SU wasn’t going to relinquish its lead like it did against Pitt. Davis and Starling ensured it held on.

In the first minute of the second half, Davis hit a jumper and free throw and converted an and-one layup to help Syracuse build a 44-29 lead three minutes into the half.

On SU’s next trip down the floor after Davis’ and-one, Starling worked his way to the charity stripe and went 2-of-2. Then, Davis continued to draw contact, netting two more free throws. By the 12:27 mark of the second half, SU had forced NC State into seven fouls, putting it in the bonus.

The Wolfpack stepped up on offense, led by Trey Parker and Dontrez Styles, pulling within nine points of the Orange with nine minutes left. But Davis and Starling helped SU get out of its funk. With Lampkin defended on the baseline, Davis got open for a layup to put the Orange back up by double digits. Then, Starling lifted for a triple and a mid-range jumper, putting Syracuse in front 64-49 with six minutes left.

Davis and Starling combined for 25 points in the second half as SU won by 14 points, its largest margin of victory in ACC play.

Published on February 26, 2025 at 9:10 pm

Contact Timmy at: tswilcox@syr.edu | @TimmyWilcox32