Syracuse basketball defense comes alive in 2nd half, lifts SU to win over Notre Dame

Entering this Atlantic Coast Conference clash in the late afternoon this past Saturday on the Hill, Syracuse basketball found itself in the basement of the league as it pertains to points allowed per game, at roughly 78.

And the Orange's defense, in the first half, left a lot to be desired. The Fighting Irish shot at least 50 percent from both the field and the 3-point line, and the 'Cuse gave up 42 points.

As has proven the case on numerous occasions throughout the 2024-25 campaign, Syracuse basketball got off to a slow start. Notre Dame pushed its first-half edge to 38-21, but then the Orange began to chip away.

At the break, the 'Cuse trailed the Fighting Irish, 42-33. Still far from ideal, but a nine-point deficit was obviously better than a 17-point hole. During the second 20 minutes, the Orange defense was impressive, and the 'Cuse got into more of a groove on offense.

Syracuse basketball got a much-needed victory versus Notre Dame at home.

Per statistics via cuse.com, in the second half, the Fighting Irish was just 32 percent from the field and 0-of-5 from deep. The Orange, meanwhile, made 43 percent from the field in the second half and 29 percent from beyond the arc.

Syracuse basketball (9-9, 3-4 in the ACC), in the final 20 minutes, outscored Notre Dame, 44-27, to come away with a solid 77-69 triumph on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome before nearly 21,000 fans. With this result, the 'Cuse moved to 35-23 in its all-time series with the Fighting Irish (8-10, 2-5 in the ACC) and avenged a 69-64 road setback to Notre Dame in early December of last year.

Next up for the Orange is a road date with Clemson (15-4, 7-1 in the ACC) on Wednesday, Jan. 22, beginning at 7 pm and with television coverage on the ACC Network.

Against Notre Dame, Syracuse basketball connected on 41 percent from the field, 33 percent from downtown and 62 percent from the charity stripe. The Fighting Irish was 42 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range and 89 percent from the free-throw line.

In other statistical categories, Notre Dame led 43-34 in rebounds, 32-28 in paint points and 13-10 in points off turnovers. On the flip side, the 'Cuse led 14-3 in assists, 13-9 in turnovers forced, 4-1 in blocks, 9-6 in steals, 12-6 in second-chance points, 14-9 in fast-break points and 24-0 in bench points.

For the fourth straight game, freshman power forward Donnie Freeman, who is dealing with a lower right leg injury, was unavailable. Also for the fourth consecutive contest, graduate student center Eddie Lampkin Jr. tallied a double-double, finishing with 13 points, 11 boards, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Junior guard J.J. Starling, who struggled when the Orange fell to Louisville at home last Tuesday night, scored a team-high 21 points against Notre Dame.

Redshirt junior guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. had 13 points and went an impressive 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. Senior forward Jyare Davis chipped in eight points, four rebounds and two assists, while freshman shooting guard Elijah Moore broke out of his recent scoring drought to produce eight points.