Late Rally Pushes #22 Orange to Win

Sunday, February 14

Raleigh, N.C.

2:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

20-6 (10-3)

-/RV NC State

17-9 (8-5)

Syracuse

NC State

2/14/2016 5:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Syracuse defeats NC State, 55-52, on Sunday

RALEIGH, N.C. – The No. 22 Syracuse University women's basketball team used a late rally to record a 55-52 victory at RV NC State on Sunday afternoon in Holliday Gymnasium at Broughton High School. With the win, Syracuse became the 10th program in the nation to win at least 20 games, seven years in-a-row.

"You can't come on the road, expect to have easy games, and teams not compete on the highest level," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "We did what we had to do to win a basketball game. I give our kids all the credit. I wish I could tell you I went into halftime and gave this big speech. It was a game about heart and courage. It was a tremendous effort by our kids.

Down four points with 3:49 remaining in regulation, Syracuse (20-6, 10-3) outscored NC State (17-9, 8-5), 10-3, to record its 10th victory in Atlantic Coast Conference play this season. An 8-0 run by junior guard Alexis Peterson gave the Orange the lead for good.

Syracuse overcame a tough start with a strong third-quarter performance. The Orange outscored its opposition by seven points in the third frame to take a one-point advantage into the final 10 minutes of play. Junior center Briana Day, a Raleigh, N.C. native, had 10 points in that span.

Peterson led the club in scoring for the second straight game and 13th time this year, notching 16 points on the day. Heading into the team's next contest, the Columbus, Ohio product is 23 points shy of becoming the program's 26th 1,000-point scorer.

Day registered her sixth double-double of the 2015-16 season, notching 14 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Brianna Butler was one point shy of recording her third double-double of her collegiate career. Butler matched her career-high with 10 rebounds.

The Orange will complete their regular season home slate on Thursday night when they host No. 10/9 Florida State. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome. The game will be broadcast on the Regional Sports Networks, as well.

Thursday's game against the Seminoles also marks the team's annual Senior Day. Syracuse will recognize Butler, Cornelia Fondren, Taylor Ford, Maggie Morrison, Aliyah Parris, and Brittney Sykes prior to the start of the contest.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 1-888-DOMETIX, or by visiting the Carrier Dome box office (Gate B) during normal business hours.

For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.