Orange Drop Road Test to NC State

Tuesday, January 27

Raleigh, NC

7:00 PM

Syracuse University

12-9,3-5ACC

NC State

15-6,6-2ACC

Syracuse

NC State

1/27/2026 9:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Adrian Autry Press Conference Kyle Interview George Interview Photo Gallery

Donnie Freeman posted a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, but Syracuse (12-9, 3-5 ACC) couldn't overcome a second-half surge from NC State (15-6, 6-2 ACC) in an 88-68 loss at the Lenovo Center on Tuesday night.

Senior J.J. Starling scored double-digit points in the loss, notching 17 to trail Freeman's team-high 24. Senior William Kyle III posted three blocks and grabbed eight rebounds in the effort.

The Wolfpack shot 33-of-65 (.508) in the contest with Darrion Williams leading the way with 23 points and five 3-pointers made. Quadir Copeland was close behind with 19 points to go with nine assists while Ven-Allen Lubin contributed 18 points on 8-of-8 (1.000) shooting from the field.

How the Game Was Decided
Holding a 55-51 lead with 11:50 showing on the clock, the Wolfpack went on a 9-2 run over the next 2:19 to establish their first double-digit lead of the contest and pull away from the Orange.

Copeland ignited the run with a layup that drew a foul. He completed the three-point play and added two more free throws moments later to push the lead to nine. Starling halted the surge with a layup, but the Wolfpack responded immediately. Musa Sagnia threw down a dunk and Terrance Arceneaux converted a layup to give NC State a 64-53 advantage.

The Orange answered with back-to-back buckets, but the Wolfpack quickly extinguished the comeback bid. Sagnia made two more baskets to extend the lead back to 68-57 with 7:32 remaining.

Syracuse did not pull within closer than nine for the rest of the game as the Wolfpack remained in control down the stretch.

Orange Fight Back Early
The Wolfpack opened a 13-5 lead in the first four minutes, making three 3-pointers while holding the Orange to 2-of-8 (.250) from the field to start the contest.

Freeman kept the Orange within reach, scoring all of Syracuse's first eight points. He started with a midrange jumper and a tip-in layup for the first four points. The sophomore connected on a 3-pointer and converted a layup while drawing a foul minutes later to cap off his eight-point streak.

Starling followed up Freeman's surge with a layup and a 3-pointer of his own, bringing the Orange all the way back to within one at 14-13 with 14 minutes to go in the opening half.

The Wolfpack responded with an 8-2 run over the next four minutes to reestablish a 22-15 lead at the 10-minute mark.

Offenses Surge to Close the Half

The Orange trailed the Wolfpack, 30-22, with 4:20 remaining in the first half when senior Nate Kingz sparked a late surge. Kingz drilled a 3-pointer to kick off a 15-11 run from the Orange to close the period.

Following Kingz's make, the Orange began to find their rhythm. Kingz delivered another 3-pointer before Freeman added a triple of his own. Syracuse closed the half by attacking the paint. Freeman threw down a two-handed slam before Kyle III grabbed an offensive board and converted a putback in the final seconds, sending Syracuse to the break trailing, 41-37.

The Orange shot 6-of-12 (.500) over the final 4:20. Freeman led Syracuse with 16 first-half points and seven boards. Kingz was close behind with six points on his two 3-pointers to go with two assists.

Orange Respond Before Wolfpack Pull Away
The Wolfpack used the beginning of the half to rebuild the lead it had nearly squandered late in the first half, going up 53-44 with just less than 14 minutes to go. NC State's Williams hit two 3-pointers as the Orange started 0-of-6 (.000) from 3-point range in the half.

Syracuse started to find its footing, with Starling burying a 3-pointer and a layup on consecutive possessions. Freeman added a fast break layup to help the Orange chip into the NC State lead at 55-51 before the Wolfpack opened up their double-digit lead.

NC State put the game away down the stretch, finishing on a 20-7 scoring run over the final six minutes while shooting 8-of-13 (.615) from the field.

Notable Numbers

Freeman's double-double was his second of the season.
Kingz hit multiple 3-pointers for the third time in his last four games.
Kyle III had his 11^th game of the season with three or more blocks.
Freeman's three offensive rebounds ties a career-high.
Freshman Calvin Russell III scored his first career points in the effort, converting a layup while drawing a foul for a three-point play.
Syracuse grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, its most in an ACC game this season.
The Wolfpack outrebounded the Orange, 45-33, and scored 50 points in the paint.

Up Next
The Orange return home this weekend when they host Notre Dame at the JMA Wireless Dome. The matchup with the Fighting Irish is set for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff and will air on The CW.

A ceremony honoring the late Lawrence Moten's career and contributions to Syracuse University and the community will be held at the game.

Syracuse Tickets
Season and individual tickets are available at cuse.com/feature/basketball-tickets

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