Raleigh, N.C. ― North Carolina State handed Syracuse its fourth consecutive loss with a 88-68 win over the Orange here at the Lenovo Center on Tuesday.
Syracuse kept the game competitive until N.C. State went on a 19-to-8 run, extending a seven-point lead out to 83-62.
With 1:48 left and the Orange trailing by 18, SU coach Adrian Autry threw up the white flag, inserting Bryce Zephir, Luke Fennell, Akir Souare and football recruit Calvin Russell into the game.
Syracuse trailed from opening tip to final buzzer as its record slipped to 12-9 on the season and 3-5 in ACC play.
North Carolina State improved to 15-6 for the season and 6-2 in conference play.
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Syracuse basketball at North Carolina State: Jan. 27, 2026
Syracuse couldn’t stop the Wolfpack from getting quality shots as N.C. State connected on 51% of its field goal attempts.
N.C. State repeatedly probed the lane, resulting in high percentage shots or fouls on the Orange’s defenders. The Wolfpack made almost as many free throws as Syracuse had attempts, going 15-for-18 at the line. Syracuse was 9-for-16.
The game’s sub-plot saw former Syracuse guard Quadir Copeland going up against his former team.
Prior to the game, Copeland had said that the reunion would be “personal” for him.
Copeland was clearly hyped up to play against his former team. He stared at the Syracuse bench or exchanged words with players and coaches often.
Copeland spent most of the game jawing at Syracuse players or the SU bench or preening for the fans.
He opened the game with a couple of quick turnovers, but once he settled into the flow of the game, Copeland controlled the action.
He sliced apart Syracuse’s defense to the tune of 19 points and nine assists. Darrion Williams led the Pack with 23 points.
Donnie Freeman scored a game-high 24 points for Syracuse, but the Orange struggled to get good shots the entire game. The Orange went 26-for-67 (39%) from the floor.
N.C. State led throughout the first half and took a 41-37 lead into halftime.
The Wolfpack jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead, forcing Syracuse to play from behind from the outset.
Freeman scored 16 points in the first half, but Williams nearly matched him with 14 first-half points.
The Wolfpack made 50% of its field goal attempts in the half, but the biggest statistical difference was N.C. State’s edge at the free throw line.
By consistently getting straight-line drives to the basket, N.C. State earned 11 free throw attempts and made nine. Syracuse went 4-for-6 at the line during the first half.