Starling and Mintz Combine For 46 Points In 'Cuse Win

Saturday, January 27

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 PM

Syracuse University

14-6,5-4ACC

NC State

13-7,5-4ACC

NC State

Syracuse

Starling and Mintz Combine For 46 Points In 'Cuse Win

1/27/2024 9:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Adrian Autry Press Conference Mintz and Starling Interview Photo Gallery

The sophomore backcourt pair of J.J. Starling (26 points) and Judah Mintz (20) combined for 46 of the Orange's 77 points and Syracuse (14-6, 5-4) took down NC State (13-7, 5-4), 77-65, in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Mintz shot personal bests in free throw attempts (18) and makes (14) from the stripe. Mintz came into the game ranked seventh in Division I in both free throw attempts and free throws made.

Starling's 26 points marked his career-best scoring effort. Sophomore forwards Chris Bell and Benny Williams contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively.

WHEN THE GAME WAS DECIDED
The Wolfpack had an 18-15 lead with 8:21 to go in the first half. Bell splashed three 3-pointers and added a dunk, and Starling produced four points in a 16-2 run that put the Orange in front, 28-18. Syracuse pushed its lead to 16 at halftime and as much as 21 in the second half. NC State cut its deficit to nine points with 2:12 left in the game, but Starling made four-of-four from the line and Copeland dunked on a fast-break to put the Orange in front, 77-62, with 1:04 left.

BING HONORED AT HALFTIME
Syracuse legend and Naismith Hall of Fame member Dave Bing '66 was inducted into Syracuse's Ring of Honor during halftime. Syracuse first consensus All-American in basketball, Bing led the 1965-67 into the NCAA Tournament. With family and former teammates on hand, Bing was presented with a replica of the ring representing his honored status by Director of Athletics John Wildhack.. Fellow Ring of Honor member and former Bing teammate Jim Boeheim bestowed him with a jacket commemorating his Ring of Honor induction. Bing's name was revealed between sections 103 and 104 in the JMA Wireless Dome.

STRONG DEFENSE HELPS SYRACUSE TAKE FIRST HALF LEAD
The Orange presented stout defense in the first half, holding the Wolfpack to six-of-29 (.207) from the field, including one-of-15 (.067) over the final 10 minutes of the half. Starling and Mintz helped cause eight NC State turnovers with five combined steals in the first half.

Starling contributed the first 10 points for Syracuse and gave the Orange a 10-8 advantage with 15:11 to go in the first half. After Starling's 10 points, Syracuse converted just two-of-15 field goals. Bell turned the scoring around with a 3-pointer that began a rally. Bell cashed two more threes and slammed one to contribute to 13 unanswered points, giving Syracuse a double-digit lead of 28-18 with 5:45 remaining in the half. NC State went without a field goal in the 3:30 before the intermission, while Syracuse strung together seven uncontested points to go into the locker rooms ahead, 38-22.

WOLFPACK PUSHES BACK IN FINAL MINUTES
The Orange advantage swung between 15 and 21 points for the first 10 minutes of the second half. During that span, Mintz and Starling posted seven and five points, respectively, of Syracuse's 16 team points.

NC State graduate guard Casey Morsell scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half. With the Orange ahead by 15 points and four minutes to go, Morsell made four of six unanswered points for the Wolfpack to cut the Syracuse lead to nine with 2:12 remaining. The Orange responded with their own six consecutive points to put the advantage back to 15 with just over a minute left.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Mintz was four free throw tries shy of the school record of 22 set by Hakim Warrick against Rhode Island in the 2003-04 season.
Mintz contributed a team-high nine assists. He has averaged 7.5 assists over the past four games.
The Orange forced 14 turnovers in the contest, thanks in part to 10 steals. Syracuse has nine games this season with 10-or-more steals.
Sophomore center Maliq Brown grabbed a team-best seven rebounds. He is averaging 8.4 boards over the last nine contests.
Syracuse has a 10-1 record inside the Dome this season.
The Orange improved to 13-6 in the series against the Wolfpack.
NC State's season-leading scorer, graduate guard DJ Horne, scored a team-best 15 points.

UP NEXT
Syracuse travels to the Conte Forum to take on Boston College in a rematch on Tuesday, January 30. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on ACC Network.

TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (@cuse_mbb).

Gallery: (1-27-2024) Syracuse vs. NC State