No. 19 Syracuse’s Offense Stalls in Overtime in 75-71 Loss to No. 12 NC State
By Andrew Della Piana | @dellie_5
PHOTO CREDIT: Cuse.com/SU Athletics
RALEIGH, N.C. – An instant classic, “referring to something being extravagantly awesome.” That’s the best way to describe this game, in which No. 19 Syracuse (23-6, 13-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) managed just five points in overtime to fall 75-71 to No. 12 NC State (24-5, 12-5 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Wolfpack beat the Orange for the eighth time in a row.
From the start, Syracuse and NC State traded baskets, with the Wolfpack taking an early lead in the first quarter, but the Orange swiping it back to lead by four heading into the second. Georgia Woolley and Dyaisha Fair combined for 19 points in the first ten minutes of play as SU started the game shooting 3-4 (75%) from three.
After trailing by as much as eight points in the second quarter, NC State led 38-35 at the half. Neither team gained a double-digit advantage. With almost six minutes left in the quarter and trailing 31-23, the Wolfpack went on an 8-0 run, scoring 15 of the final 19 points of the half to take a slight lead into the locker room. Overall in the frame, the Orange’s field goal percentage was merely 18%.
Another quarter of runs ensued in the third, as SU opened with a 10-0 run and NCSU responded with a 10-2 run to end the quarter and take a two-point lead into the last ten minutes of regulation.
With 6:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, Syracuse took the lead again as Izabel Varejão converted an and-one play to get her to a career-high 14 points. But with 24 seconds remaining, Saniya Rivers’ outstanding assist on a River Baldwin bucket allowed NC State to grab it back. Syracuse was down two on the final possession of regulation.
Fair found an open Varejão in the corner, but her shot was short. However, with 0.1 seconds remaining, Alyssa Latham pulled down the offensive rebound and was fouled. The freshman made both of her shots with all the pressure on her to send the game into overtime. Ironically, in the last game of the regular season, the Orange were headed for extra basketball for the first time this year.
After NC State opened the overtime period with two of Zoe Brooks’ made free throws, SU took a 69-68 lead with two minutes remaining thanks to a triple by Sophie Burrows. The Wolfpack responded with a rapid 5-0 run to seize the lead, which they would maintain until the very end. In the overtime period, Fair was limited to just two points as the Orange committed four turnovers and shot just 1-10 (10%) from the field.
SU finishes the campaign with 23 victories, tying the program record for most in a regular season, as well as 13 conference wins, also tying a program record.
Syracuse has a double-bye in the ACC Tournament, which begins on March 6th in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Orange will find out their seed on Sunday, following the conclusion of the remaining regular season games.
aedellap@syr.edu | @dellie_5
