Sophomore guard Braxton Beverly matched his career high with 21 points, and North Carolina State's defense controlled Syracuse in a 73-58 victory Wednesday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Torin Dorn scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half, and DJ Funderburk added 12 points for NC State (18-7, 6-6 Atlantic Coast Conference). Dorn also grabbed 12 rebounds.

The Wolfpack have won consecutive games for the first time since capturing seven in a row from Dec. 1-Jan. 3.

Frank Howard scored 21 points and Marek Dolezaj added 10 points for Syracuse (17-8, 8-4), which lost for only the second time in six road games. Orange scoring leader Tyus Battle finished with seven points on 3-of-9 shooting from the floor.

Beverly scored nine points in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half as the Wolfpack stretched what had been a three-point halftime edge to 43-34. It was 49-34 before the Orange responded.

NC State created an 18-point lead, but the margin was in danger of slipping below 10 with about six minutes left before the Wolfpack scored seven straight.

NC State was up 30-27 at halftime despite 12 turnovers.

It was NC State's first home game since the 47-24 loss to Virginia Tech on Feb. 2. The Wolfpack passed the 24-point mark with 4:41 to play in the first half Wednesday.

NC State's largest lead of the first half was 28-16. Syracuse then went on an 11-0 run despite missing four free throws during the stretch.

Earlier, fouls mounted against Syracuse, with Oshae Brissett picking up his third foul with 7:17 to play in the first half as the Wolfpack took a 20-13 lead.

NC State played without reserves Eric Lockett (personal matter) and Blake Harris (illness). The Wolfpack had only eight players in uniform.

Syracuse entered the game with 17 wins through 24 games for the first time in five years. The Orange will play their next three games against nationally ranked opponents.

--Field Level Media