The N.C. State basketball team had a chance to make a statement against No. 1 Syracuse and, after the first few minutes, appeared to have a chance to beat the Orangemen. Unfortunately, the Wolfpack, which led by eight early, fell by 16, 88-72 at home.

This was the first time a nonconference No. 1 had come to Raleigh since February 1979 and the fans were ready for it. The Vegas odds had Syracuse as 7.5 point favorites and many were expecting the Pack to cover. But after getting out to an emotional eight-point lead, Syracuse’s Dion Waiters scored 10 points during a game-changing 23-0 run.

Syracuse led 47-33 at the half but the Wolfpack, behind C.J. Williams who scored a career-high 25 points, went on a 13-1 run to get the Pack back in it. State even tied it twice in the second half but, despite a wild crowd, Waiters, who scored a career-high 22 points, again hit big shots to keep State at bay. An 11-2 Orangemen run gave them a cushion.

Unfortunately for the Pack, the final score looks much worse than the game. The Wolfpack played well enough to make a bit of a statement but they needed to keep the final score closer.