SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In a thrilling matchup on Thursday evening, No. 20 NC State ultimately triumphed over Syracuse with a final score of 74-66, driven by an impressive closing streak of 11 unanswered points. Zoe Brooks was a standout player for NC State, contributing 19 points, along with eight rebounds and six assists. Madison Hayes also played a significant role, finishing the game with 18 points and nine rebounds.

As the game progressed, Brooks managed to sink a jumper from the free-throw line with just over three minutes remaining, putting NC State ahead 63-62 for the first time since the score was 4-2. Shortly thereafter, Aziaha James scored with a runner in the lane, pushing the lead to 69-66 with under a minute to go. Syracuse struggled to convert on their subsequent possessions, allowing Saniya Rivers to secure a defensive rebound and extend NC State’s lead by hitting one of two free throws.

Tensions heightened when Syracuse’s head coach, Felisha Legette-Jack, received a technical foul with only 14.3 seconds left on the clock, which led to NC State capitalizing on the opportunity by successfully making four out of six free throws to seal their victory. The Orange’s last moments were challenging, as they only managed to connect on two out of 15 shots during the concluding stretch of the game.

In addition to the efforts from Brooks and Hayes, James contributed 14 points to NC State’s success. The squad improved their record to 15-4 and 7-1 in ACC play, marking 11 victories in their last 12 games. Syracuse’s team saw significant contributions from Sophie Burrows, who scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Georgia Woolley added 15 points. Kyra Wood had a solid performance too, with 14 points and nine boards to her name. Unfortunately for Syracuse, this loss extended their series of defeats to nine against NC State.

The game saw its pendulum swing when Izabel Varejao knocked down a three-pointer just seconds before halftime, giving Syracuse a 42-32 lead. However, NC State struggled offensively, shooting only 39% from the field in the first half, including a dismal 10% from beyond the arc, marking their steepest halftime deficit in ACC competition this season.

Looking ahead, NC State will return to their home court on Sunday to take on Virginia Tech, while Syracuse will be traveling for a showdown against Clemson the same day.