Can Wolfpack's Paint Dominance and Fast Breaks Overcome Orange's Sharp Shooting?
In a closely contested match, the North Carolina State Wolfpack fell just short against Syracuse Orange with a final score of 87-83. The Wolfpack now stand at an even record, while the Orange improved their tally. The game saw both teams fiercely competing until the last buzzer echoed through PNC Arena.
The home team, North Carolina State Wolfpack, displayed a commendable effort on their home court. Despite trailing at halftime with 40 points to Syracuse's commanding 55, they managed to close the gap in the second half by adding 43 points to their total. The Wolfpack showed resilience and an aggressive style of play that resulted in them outscoring Syracuse in fast break points with a notable 17-point contribution.
The defensive efforts from the Wolfpack were highlighted by their five blocks and four steals during the game. Their offensive strategy was evident as they fought hard in the paint matching Syracuse's 34 points and capitalized on turnovers scoring 19 points off them. Moreover, North Carolina State excelled in second-chance opportunities putting up an impressive 16 points.
Syracuse Orange showcased precision from beyond the arc converting nine out of fifteen attempts which translated to a remarkable three-point shooting percentage of around sixty percent for them. Their free throw accuracy was nearly perfect at ninety-five percent making eighteen free throws out of nineteen attempts.
A key aspect where Syracuse had an edge was their assist-to-turnover ratio which stood at approximately one point eighteen compared to North Carolina State’s zero point eighty-nine ratio; this indicated better ball control by Syracuse throughout this intense conference game.
The attendance at PNC Arena was recorded as twelve thousand seven hundred sixty-six fans who witnessed three times when scores were tied and lead changes on three occasions as well indicating how competitive this matchup was until its very end.
Looking ahead, fans can mark their calendars for another exciting home game for North Carolina State against Boston College Eagles scheduled for February twenty-fourth at two o'clock PM Eastern Time at PNC Arena. This upcoming contest will be broadcasted nationally on ACC Network channel six hundred twelve where supporters can tune in to follow all live-action from Raleigh.