NC State holds off No. 20 Syracuse late, 67-61

Jan 5, 2015, 04:18 pm

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Miah Spencer's layup with just over a minute to play put North Carolina State ahead and the Wolfpack sealed the win from the free throw line, knocking off No. 20 Syracuse, 67-62 in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both schools.

Syracuse, which joined the ACC after 31 seasons in the Big East, did not score after Brianna Butler's 3-pointer with 2:16 gave the Orange a two-point lead, 61-59. Syracuse (11-3, 0-1 ACC) is now 0-3 all-time against NC State and has lost back-to-back games, including a 63-60 loss to Arizona State that saw the Wildcats overcome a 25-point deficit.

Butler finished with 17 points to lead Syracuse.

Kody Burke scored 19 points to lead NC State (14-1, 1-0 ACC), with Markeisha Gatling adding 14 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Spencer finished with 12 points off the bench and Krystal Barrett added another 10 points.