N.C. State basketball makes season-high 16 3-pointers in 89-82 loss to Syracuse
Early during the contest between N.C. State and Syracuse it was apparent whichever team could keep the hot hand would come out on top. At halftime, both teams were on fire; the Wolfpack from behind the arc, the Orange from two-point range.
Syracuse hit 11 3-pointers after the break, enough to defeat N.C. State 89-82.
This came despite a breakout game from Wolfpack forward Jaylon Gibson (14 points) and another hot shooting night from N.C. State (10-13, 3-9 ACC).
“My first take away from the game is we are young, we are undermanned,” Kevin Keatts said. “But man are they playing hard for me. I know there were a lot of questions on if this team would respond after the way we played at Carolina. I don’t think there is any doubt in my mind our guys came back and fought.”
Syracuse (11-11, 5-6) built a double-digit lead in the second half that was quickly cut to one after two free throws from Dereon Seabron (17 points).
But Orange forward Cole Swider hit his third 3 of the half to deny the Pack comeback.
All five Syracuse starters scored in double figures and the Orange got zero points from its bench. N.C. State got a balanced effort, led by Terquavion Smith (25 points), but dug itself too big a hole. Despite shooting above 40% from the field and behind the arc, the Pack started the second half 1-for-5. The Orange started the second half 11-for-11.
Syracuse bridged the first and second half with a 20-5 run, building a double-digit lead. Like it’s done so many times, N.C. State battled back.
On his career night, Gibson’s three-point play pulled the Pack within one. The Orange were too hot, though. Each N.C. State run was turned away, either by a traditional 3-pointer, or a foul and basket.
Syracuse shot 77% from 3 in the second half. The Wolfpack connected on a season-high 16 3-pointers, but shot just 6-19 from behind the arc after halftime.
“Syracuse made great shots in the second half,” Keatts said. “They made great shots. I thought it was a four minute segment in the beginning of the second half where defensively we couldn’t stop them. “
In the opening 20 minutes N.C. State shot 50% from 3. Against Syracuse’s 2-3 zone, the 3 was the best shot available and the Wolfpack took advantage. That wasn’t the only thing working for N.C. State.
Gibson, whose previous career high was six points, found a comfort zone in the short corner behind the zone. Coming into Wednesday, Gibson hadn’t scored in the last three games. By the midway point of the second half, there was a full ‘Jaylon Gibson’ chant going on inside PNC Arena.
Syracuse, though, got going when it mattered, outscoring N.C. State 47-37 in the second half. The Orange have now won four straight against the Wolfpack. Before last season, Keatts was a perfect 4-0 against Syracuse.
BIG NIGHT FOR GIBSON
Before Wednesday’s game, Gibson only had a combined 33 points all season. With sophomore forward Ebenezer Dowuona out with an injury, the bulk of playing time would fall on Gibson. He responded with his best game in an N.C. State uniform.
“He’s been put into an impossible situation and came out and responded,” Keatts said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more from him.”
Gibson shot 6-9 from the field and also grabbed a career-high six rebounds in 37 minutes. Also a career-high.
“Not really a lot of pressure,” Gibson said. “Just going in there and playing freely, with a lot of energy. I knew if I made a mistake I wasn’t coming out of the game. So just get past that mistake and keep playing hard.”
Before the game, Gibson credits his teammates for staying in his ear and getting him ready. He credits Seabron for predicting this could be his breakout night. Turns out he was correct.
“I was telling him, even in the previous practices, I was telling him this next game could be your breakout game,” Seabron said. “Just show everybody what you could do.”
SHARING THE BALL
Against the zone, N.C. State moved the ball to find the open man. The result was a season-high 20 assists on 29 made baskets.
Seabron and Cam Hayes were tied for the lead with five dimes each.
“We couldn’t have the ball stick,” Seabron said. “We had to keep moving it to the middle and just break down the zone. That was a positive note on our end.”
TIME TABLE FOR DOWUONA
Dowuona was one of four post players in street clothes Wednesday night. Three of those players (Manny Bates, Ernest Ross, Greg Gantt) aren’t expected to return this season.
Dowuona was injured during the UNC game, but it’s not expected to be season ending. Keatts, though, didn’t have a timetable for his return, saying the big man was “day by day.”
“I don’t know exactly what happened,” Keatts said. “It’s a lower leg injury, I don’t know to what extent. We tried him a couple of times the last couple of days to see if he could get up and down. He just couldn’t do it. Hopefully he’s ready for Saturday, but I can’t promise that.”
OFF NIGHT FOR HELLEMS
Jericole Hellems, the only senior in the starting five, finished with three points in 12 minutes in action. It was the first time in five games that he didn’t score at least 14 points. Against Syracuse he shot 1-6 from the floor. Hellems only played six minutes in the second half. He got in early foul trouble and never got going against the Orange.
“I think the two fouls, I remember him hitting the three,” Keatts said. “Then he got a couple of fouls and never really got back into the flow of the game. Obviously, he didn’t have one of his best moments tonight so we had to play other guys.”
SMALL BALL
Even though Gibson played a career-high 37 minutes, Keatts had to find time for him to rest. The tallest player available on the bench meant Keatts was forced to go really small. During the week they practiced with Hellems (6-7) at center. With Hellems in foul trouble in the first half, Keatts had to adjust his plans. Instead, he went with Seabron (6-7, 180) at center. Seabron was the post player in a lineup that included Breon Pass, Thomas Allen, Cam Hayes and Smith, all guards.
“We practiced going small,” Seabron said. “It was kind of weird seeing it, but we did it earlier in shoot around so I had to adjust.”
With just one true big, N.C. State was only out rebounded by three (33-30) and had 24 points in the paint.
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 11:01 PM with the headline "N.C. State basketball makes season-high 16 3-pointers in 89-82 loss to Syracuse."
