This is not a misprint: Free-throw shooting played a big role in why Syracuse basketball won its non-conference game against a scrappy Northeastern group on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome by a final score of 91-83.
The Orange entered Saturday's affair hitting on just 58 percent from the free-throw line, good for last place in Division I men's basketball. Against the Huskies, a team that simply wouldn't go away, the 'Cuse scored 21 more points at the free-throw line than its foe.
That's why the Orange emerged victorious, moving Syracuse basketball to 8-4 overall with a Monday night home contest versus Stonehill representing the final non-conference game for the 'Cuse before Atlantic Coast Conference competition commences.
Dome dub 🍊
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) December 20, 2025
We close non-conference play on Monday night vs. Stonehill pic.twitter.com/2fIdRQOAap
Naithan George, the junior point guard who transferred in from Georgia Tech, has struggled somewhat to date in the 2025-26 season. Yet against Northeastern (4-6 overall), the floor general was fabulous.
George, in 35 steady minutes, tallied a game-high 22 points along with six rebounds, six assists, one steal and only one turnover. He went 5-of-8 from the field and an impressive 12-of-14 from the charity stripe.
Within this outcome, the Orange improves to 10-0 in its all-time series against Northeastern, which suits up in the Coastal Athletic Association.
For a change, free-throw shooting helped Syracuse basketball, rather than hurt the 'Cuse.
Before Saturday's game, I got word from a team spokesperson that sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman is expected to return to action when the Orange opens ACC play on New Year's Eve against Clemson on the Hill.
Freeman, who had been averaging 17.8 points per encounter, has only played in four contests this season due to a lower-body injury. Let's see what Syracuse basketball looks like with him back in the line-up.
In the triumph over Northeastern, five Orange players notched double-figures in scoring. Besides George's 22 points, freshman shooting guard Kiyan Anthony had 18 points, while senior center William Kyle lll, redshirt senior small forward Nate Kingz and sophomore forward Tyler Betsey all chipped in 14 points.
By and large this term, the 'Cuse has relied on its strong defense, but the program's win over the Huskies spotlighted both squads' offenses. Northeastern made 47.7 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from beyond the arc and 65.0 percent from the charity stripe.
Syracuse basketball connected on 50.9 percent from the field, 25.0 percent from deep and 70.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Orange scored 21 more points at the free-throw line, and that's why the 'Cuse prevailed over the Huskies.
In key statistical categories, Northeastern led 19-8 in assists, 21-19 in fastbreak points, 6-4 in steals, 40-36 in paint points and 16-12 in second-chance points. Conversely, Syracuse basketball led 38-33 in total rebounds, 13-11 in turnovers forced, 32-18 in bench points, 7-4 in blocks and 15-11 in points off turnovers.
In another important metric, the Huskies were whistled for 31 personal fouls, as compared to 17 for the 'Cuse. This wasn't the prettiest of victories, but George's play and the Orange's free-throw shooting were significant bright spots, along with the timetable for Freeman's return to the line-up.