They aren’t always going to come easy on the road, and NC State had a tough time for the bulk of the night, but in the end the Pack was able to get out of Syracuse with a win despite not having its A-game.
The Wolfpack had to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit, which it didn’t really start cutting into until more than halfway through the third quarter, but it was a tight fourth quarter and State scored the game’s last 11 points to secure the win.
The Orange had a three-point edge with about 2:30 left, then Lorena Awou scored in the post, Zoe Brooks knocked in a couple free throws to grab the lead back, 67-66, and Aziaha James pushed State ahead 69-66 with a mid-range shot with a minute left. After another stop and a Saniya Rivers free throw, State could exhale just a little bit, holding a two-possession lead with 27 seconds left. Cuse came up empty again, and then a technical foul on their head coach sealed the result.
Syracuse has struggled this season but is good on the offensive glass and used that strength to help build its advantage in the first half. NC State didn’t shoot the ball well, as both James and Rivers struggled from the field.
Awou ended up being on of the most important players for State in this game, as she strengthened State’s interior defense in the second half, and her late bucket during State’s final run was a big one. She ended up playing more minutes than Tilda Trygger or Mallory Collier. Props to her for stepping up.
Madison Hayes was excellent again, finishing with 18 points on 7-12 shooting plus nine rebounds. Zoe Brooks scored 19, grabbed eight boards, and dished six assists against just one turnover.
State’s energy wasn’t great to start this game and with that the defensive performance was frustratingly spotty. But hey, they battled, and in the end it was their defense that carried them home.