Syracuse basketball’s JJ Starling scores career-high 26 points in win over N.C. State

In a half time ceremony, Dave Bing is fitted with a Ring of Honor jacket by former Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

Syracuse, N.Y. ― The Syracuse Orange bounced back from its first home loss of the season with a 77-65 victory over the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Syracuse had won its first nine home games this season before dropping an 85-69 decision to Florida State earlier this week.

Syracuse Orange guard JJ Starling (2) over North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Ben Middlebrooks (34). The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

That loss made Saturday’s game against N.C. State all the more important for Syracuse and its post-season chances.

The Orange responded with a determined defensive effort.

Syracuse held N.C. State to 22 first-half points and took control late in the first half as it held the Wolfpack to zero field goals over the last 8 minutes of the half.

Syracuse Orange guard JJ Starling (2) drives past North Carolina State Wolfpack guard DJ Horne (0). The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

JJ Starling led the Orange with a career-high 26 points. The sophomore from Baldwinsville got Syracuse off to a hot start, scoring the Orange’s first 10 points of the game. He connected on four 3-pointers on nine attempts.

Syracuse Orange guard Judah Mintz (3) gets fouled in the lane by North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Mohamed Diarra (23). The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

Judah Mintz struggled to make anything from the field. He made three shots in nine attempts, but he still finished with 20 points thanks to his 14-for-20 free-throw shooting.

The win improved Syracuse’s record to 14-6 overall and 5-4 in the ACC. N.C. State lost its third-straight game and fell to 13-7 for the year and 5-4 in the conference.

Syracuse held N.C. State to just 22 points in the first half on 20% field-goal shooting. The Wolfpack took 29 shots in the first half and made only six of them.

N.C. State made things interesting in the final minutes. The Wolfpack trailed by as many as 21 points early in the second half but cut the margin down to 71-62 with a little more than two minutes remaining in the game.

Syracuse gave up 43 second-half points to State. At one point, the Wolfpack scored on eight-consecutive possessions, but the Orange staved off the rally with four late free throws from Starling.

The Orange only made 37% (13 of 35) of its field-goal attempts, but that was far better than N.C. State fared and led to a 38-22 halftime lead.

Syracuse Orange forward Maliq Brown (1) is fouled in the lane by North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Jayden Taylor (1). The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

The Orange trailed 18-15 but outscored the Wolfpack 23-4 in the last eight minutes. Syracuse held N.C. State to just one field goal in that span.

Syracuse Orange forward Benny Williams (13) with a jumper over . The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

Chris Bell sparked the rally with three 3-pointers in a two-minute stretch. Mintz scored the Orange’s last seven points of the half. Mintz made just one field goal in the first half, but he went 8-for-10 at the free-throw line.

Syracuse Orange guard Judah Mintz (3) leans in for a shot over North Carolina State Wolfpack forward DJ Burns Jr. (30). The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

Syracuse increased its lead to 49-28 in the first four minutes of the second half, capping a run with a corner 3-pointer from Starling.

Syracuse’s next game is on Tuesday at Boston College.

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Syracuse Orange guard JJ Starling (2) after getting fouled while shooting and making the shot. The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024

Syracuse Orange guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. (0) gets in his stretching drill with teammates before the N.C.state game. The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 29, 2024

Syracuse Orange forward Chris Bell (4) with a three pointer from the wing. The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse N.Y. Jan. 27, 2024