The No. 1 Syracuse men’s basketball team (11-0, 0-0 Big East) won its eleventh straight game to start the season after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-4, 0-0 ACC) 88-72 Saturday at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C.
The Orange had five players score in double figures. Sophomore guard Dion Waiters led all Syracuse scorers with a career-high of 22 points off the bench, senior forward Kris Joseph scored 21, and senior guard Scoop Jardine scored 16.
The Wolfpack were led by senior guard C.J. Williams, who led all scorers with 25 points and also had three rebounds and two assists.
Syracuse’s offense was clicking Saturday night, as it shot 56.5 percent from the floor and 48 percent from beyond the arc. However, the Orange did not have an answer for the Wolfpack offense early in the game.
The Wolfpack jumped to a 12-4 lead within the first four minutes of the game and the Orange was forced to take a full timeout.
Joseph converted a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, but NC State did not relinquish the lead until Joseph made another three-pointer with 6:28 to go in the half that gave Syracuse a one-point lead.
The second half began with NC State down 47-33 and ready to make a come back. The Wolfpack started the second frame with a 9-1 run, forcing Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim to call a timeout with 17:44 to go. The Wolfpack eventually tied the game at 50, but were never able to regain the lead. Syracuse began to pull away within the last eleven minutes and went on to win.
Syracuse’s depth played a factor in the Orange’s first road game outside of the state of New York. Forty-six of the Orange's 88 points came from players who started the game on the bench.
The No. 1 team will play its next game at home Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. as it hosts Bucknell in the Carrier Dome.
