Buddy Boeheim's game-high 27 points led five players in double figures Wednesday as eighth-seeded Syracuse cruised to an 89-68 win over North Carolina State in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C.

Joseph Girard III added 14 points, Alan Griffin and Quincy Guerrier each scored 12 and Robert Braswell had 11 as the Orange (16-8) earned a matchup with top-seeded Virginia Thursday. Syracuse might need the win to assure a berth to the NCAA Tournament, as it is just 1-6 in games against Quad 1 teams.

The Orange gave themselves the opportunity against the Cavaliers by sinking 56.7 percent of their shots, including 14 of 29 from the 3-point line. Syracuse went 13 of 21 from 3 before missing seven straight, long after the issue was decided.

DJ Funderburk scored 14 points and Manny Bates tallied 12 for the Wolfpack (13-10), who saw their five-game winning streak snapped. Dereon Seabron added 11 points, but NC State couldn't overcome 8 of 27 shooting after halftime.

Syracuse blew the game open by starting the second half with a 16-3 run, capped by Guerrier's jumper that made it 59-41 with 15:35 left in the game.

Boeheim wasted little time putting his stamp on this one, answering Bates' game-opening jumper by pulling up and hitting a jumper. His 3-pointer at the 11:14 mark of the half gave him 10 points and made it 25-14 Syracuse.

When NC State pulled within 30-25 on Seabron's free throws, Boeheim blunted that bit of momentum by sticking his third 3-pointer of the half with 6:33 left. The Orange pushed the lead back to 10 before the Wolfpack made a late surge.

Jericole Hellems stuck a 3-pointer and Seabron put back a missed shot in the last minute, enabling NC State to pull within 43-38 at halftime. The Wolfpack were fortunate to be that close, given that Boeheim ended the half with 20 points as Syracuse canned 58.1 percent of its field goal attempts.

--Field Level Media