Overview
- The Orange won 79-78 at the JMA Wireless Dome on Kingz’s drive with 2.3 seconds left, improving to 15-11 (6-7 ACC).
- Coach Adrian Autry rode Betsey and freshman Kiyan Anthony late to counter SMU’s 1-3-1, with Anthony scoring 13 after halftime and Betsey adding a key three and a final-minute stop on Boopie Miller.
- Syracuse leaned on the arc, hitting 11 of 30 threes (season-high attempts) to offset SMU’s interior edge that included a 44-26 paint advantage and heavy second-chance points.
- Donnie Freeman led Syracuse with 18 points and four blocks, Naithan George had 16 and six assists, and SMU’s Jaden Toombs paced the Mustangs with 19.
- Syracuse reported 19,680 tickets sold for the game, and the victory comes before a matchup with No. 4 Duke.