The Syracuse Orange came into Raleigh looking to build some momentum in ACC play, but NC State had other plans-and they made that clear from the opening tip. Just four seconds into the game, Darrion Williams sliced through the defense for an uncontested layup. That bucket set the tone for the night, and the Wolfpack never looked back.
Every time Syracuse tried to mount a run, NC State had an answer. And when the Orange defense finally cracked in the final 10 minutes, the Wolfpack didn’t just take advantage-they ran away with it.
Let’s start with the bright spot for Syracuse: Donnie Freeman. The freshman forward continues to show why he’s such a key piece for this team’s future.
He posted a strong 24-point, 10-rebound double-double, doing everything he could to keep the Orange in it. Whether it was knocking down a three or battling on the glass, Freeman was engaged and aggressive.
But he couldn’t do it alone.
JJ Starling showed flashes in the second half, though his final line was marred by missed opportunities. He missed four straight shots in a crucial stretch, including three clean looks from beyond the arc.
Those misses came at a time when Syracuse had a real chance to tie or take the lead. Instead, NC State capitalized-Williams hit a pair of shots and the Wolfpack re-established control.
It wasn’t just shooting woes that plagued the Orange. Entry passes were a mess.
Freeman had clear mismatches on the block early in the second half, but Syracuse couldn’t get him the ball. Whether it was poor spacing, hesitation, or simply bad passing, the Orange failed to execute-and it cost them.
Meanwhile, NC State was surgical. They attacked the rim relentlessly, exploiting Syracuse’s porous interior defense.
The Wolfpack dominated the paint, both in terms of scoring and rebounding, and they made it look easy. Darrion Williams was a force all night, finishing with 23 points, 6 boards, and 5 assists.
He was the engine behind NC State’s offense, pushing the pace, finding cutters, and hitting timely shots.
Jayden Taylor Copeland was just as impactful. He dropped 19 points and dished out 9 assists, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line.
His ability to control the tempo and find teammates in rhythm made life miserable for Syracuse’s defense. And when he wasn’t distributing, he was getting to the line and converting-exactly what you want from your floor general.
Syracuse’s defense, on the other hand, was virtually nonexistent down the stretch. NC State turned the final 10 minutes into a layup line.
The Wolfpack’s guards consistently got into the lane, drew help, and dished to open cutters or finished at the rim. There was little resistance from the Orange-rotations were late, closeouts were soft, and communication broke down.
Even when Syracuse made a push-like when Freeman stole the ball and scored to cut it to 55-51-NC State immediately responded. The Wolfpack rattled off a 9-2 run, ballooning the lead to double digits and forcing another timeout from Adrian Autry. But by then, the momentum had shifted for good.
One small moment of note: Calvin Russell made his debut for Syracuse and scored his first collegiate points on a putback and-one. It was a nice moment for the freshman, and something to build on in what’s been a challenging stretch for the Orange.
Ultimately, this game was a reminder of where these two programs currently stand. NC State looked like a team with a clear identity-aggressive, disciplined, and confident.
Syracuse, on the other hand, looked disjointed and unsure, especially on the defensive end. Until they can clean up their execution and bring consistent energy on both sides of the ball, nights like this will continue to sting.
The Orange fall to 12-9 (3-5 ACC), while NC State improves to 15-6 (6-2). For Syracuse, it’s back to the drawing board. For the Wolfpack, this was a statement win-and a sign they’re not just hanging around in the ACC, they’re ready to make some noise.