Comebacks have been the story this year for the NC State Wolfpack. This time, the storybook ending went bad for the Wolfpack as they drop a crucial 87-83 contest to Syracuse Tuesday night inside PNC Arena.
It was the Chris Bell show to start as the forward opened up the game 3-3 from beyond the arc to force an NC State timeout with 16:52 left in the first half and the Orange leading the Wolfpack 9-2.
DJ Horne responded after the break with two three-point baskets to slice the Orange lead to 9-8. Bell would answer with another corner three just before the media break to give Syracuse a 14-8 lead with just over 14 minutes left before the half.
The Syracuse offense remained hot as the Orange lead grew back to double digits with four straight points to bring the score up to 33-23 with 8:02 on the clock. Bell was simply unhuman as he connected on his first eight three-point attempts. The Orange offense helped Syracuse cruise to a 55-40 lead at halftime.
The Orange remained in control to begin the half building their lead up to 64-49 with a three point play just before the under 16 media timeout. At that point, the Wolfpack went on a 7-0 run to cut the Syracuse lead to 64-56 with 13:44 left forcing an Orange timeout.
NC State would get as close as six following a Jayden Taylor three pointer before Syracuse responded with a quick 4-0 run to go back ahead 10. The Wolfpack had another answer as Horne added a step back three pointer to cap off a 7-0 State run forcing a Syracuse timeout with their lead shrinking to just three.
A DJ Burns basket temporarily tied the game at 76-76 before a basket and flagrant 1 on Burns put the Orange back on top 81-76 with a rare five point possession. The run continued for the Wolfpack as two Ben Middlebrooks free throws gave NC State it’s first lead since 2-0 at 82-81.
Both teams back and forth before two free throws from Quadir Copeland put Syracuse ahead 85-83 with 16 .3 left in regulation. Out of an NC State timeout, the ball went in the hands of DJ Horne who forced a corner three that was no good leading to two Orange free throws to ice the game sending the visitors to an 87-83 win.
Horne led all scorers with 32 points. Bell paced Syracuse with 26 points after 24 points in the first half.
NC State returns to action Saturday as they host Boston College. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 PM inside PNC Arena.