RALEIGH, N.C. (Interstat) — Khamil Pierre recorded a dominant double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds, and North Carolina State never trailed in an 82-69 victory over Syracuse in an Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Lenovo Center.

The Wolfpack, improving to 18-9 overall, seized control with a blistering first quarter and withstood a strong second-half push from the Orange. Syracuse fell to 21-6 despite a game-high 26 points and 14 rebounds from Izoje Uche.

North Carolina State established its authority from the opening tip. After Uche won the jump ball and scored the game’s first basket, the Wolfpack responded with a 20-3 run over the next six minutes. The surge was fueled by efficient offense and stifling defense, holding Syracuse to just one field goal during the stretch. Tilda Trygger and Zoe Brooks combined for 15 points in the quarter, while Pierre anchored the interior with six early points and five defensive rebounds. The Wolfpack shot 10 of 16 from the field in the period and led 26-14 after one.

The most important part of the game was North Carolina State’s immediate and overwhelming response to Syracuse’s lone early lead. The Wolfpack’s early 20-3 run, built on a combination of inside scoring, transition play, and defensive pressure, created a deficit from which the Orange could never fully recover. It set a physical and tempo-based tone that dictated the remainder of the contest, forcing Syracuse to play catch-up against a confident and efficient home team.

Syracuse, which entered the game having won five of its last six, struggled to find offensive rhythm against the Wolfpack’s defense. The Orange shot just 38.2% from the field for the game and connected on only 6 of 22 attempts from three-point range. While Uche was effective inside, Syracuse’s backcourt of Dominique Darius and Laila Phelia combined to shoot 13 of 37 from the floor.

The Wolfpack maintained a double-digit lead throughout much of the second quarter, taking a 46-29 advantage into halftime. Pierre had 13 points and nine rebounds by the break, while Zamareya Jones orchestrated the offense with eight assists in the half.

Syracuse showed renewed energy after halftime, opening the third quarter with a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to 48-41. Uche and Sophie Burrows, who finished with nine points, keyed the surge. The Orange outscored the Wolfpack 24-20 in the period and pulled within nine points on several occasions, but could not get the margin to a single possession.

Each time Syracuse threatened, North Carolina State had an answer, often from Pierre. She scored 10 points in the third quarter, including a crucial layup off a Jones assist to halt a Syracuse run and push the lead back to 64-55 with just over two minutes left in the period. The Wolfpack led 66-53 entering the fourth.

The Orange made one final push early in the final quarter, closing to 70-63 on a three-pointer from Phelia with 5:53 remaining. Again, the Wolfpack responded. Jones drove for a layup, was fouled, and completed the three-point play. On the next possession, Pierre scored inside to extend the lead back to 12 points, effectively sealing the game with under three minutes to play.

Pierre’s 25-point, 15-rebound performance was her third consecutive standout game, following a 24-point effort at Duke and a 17-point, 11-rebound game at Notre Dame. Brooks added 20 points and five rebounds for the Wolfpack, while Jones finished with 14 points and eight assists. Trygger contributed 14 points and seven rebounds.

For Syracuse, Darius finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Phelia added 11 points.

North Carolina State’s offensive efficiency was a decisive factor. The Wolfpack scored 82 points on just 74 possessions, an offensive rating of 110.2, and shot 48.3% from the field. Syracuse managed an offensive rating of just 89.4. The Wolfpack also held a 42-34 advantage in rebounds and scored 18 points from the free-throw line to Syracuse’s 11.

A crowd of 5,500 attended the game.

Syracuse next travels to face Notre Dame on Thursday. North Carolina State returns to action Thursday at home against Wake Forest.