Highlights & Recap: Syracuse Wraps up Home Stand With Win Over NC State
In their third consecutive game at the Dome, Syracuse (14-6/4-4) rebounded convincingly against N.C. State (13-7, 5-4), illustrating that this season is defined by resilience, ensuring that a single loss does not translate into a streak of defeats.
Following a lackluster offensive performance against Florida State, sophomore guard JJ Starling took it upon himself to spark a transformation. The Baldwinsville native delivered an outstanding career-high performance with 26 points, initiating the team's scoring with the first 10 points and showcasing prowess with a 4-9 display from behind the arc.
"I knew right from the warm-up that I was going to have a really good game," Starling said. "I paid attention to detail, ensuring every rep felt clean. My teammates did an excellent job of getting me the ball, and I just felt hot."
Contributing to Starling's success was his backcourt companion, Judah Mintz, who demonstrated an all-around game with 20 points, 14 of which were secured from the charity stripe, along with an impressive 9 assists.
The Orange displayed a formidable defensive effort in the first half, limiting the Wolfpack to just 22 points, marking one of their more commendable defensive performances this season.
"You're not going to win a game without getting any stops, and I think we did a good job of that today," Mintz.
Despite a spirited comeback attempt by NC State in the second half, with just nine points separating them from the Orange with 2:07 remaining, a crucial turnover, one of 14 for the Wolfpack, proved to be the decisive blow as Syracuse found their rhythm and sealed the victory with clutch shots.
Head Coach Adrian Autry acknowledged that the defensive intensity in the second half didn't match the first, a facet they intend to address as they navigate through a series of upcoming games.
"This is a young team; usually, we have a lead going into the second half, and our defense starts to slack. It's something we're working on," Coach Autry explained.
Looking ahead, the Orange will venture to Conte Forum on Tuesday to take on the Boston College Eagles (12-8, 3-6). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ACC Network.
