After more than a week off since its last game, Syracuse basketball on Thursday night looked a bit sluggish and lacked energy in its non-conference contest against Atlantic 10 Conference member Saint Joseph's at the JMA Wireless Dome.
On December 2 in the ACC/SEC Challenge, the Orange picked up a huge two-point win over then-No. 13 Tennessee, giving the 'Cuse a key non-conference victory. Then Syracuse basketball didn't have an encounter last weekend, waiting until Thursday evening to face the Hawks, which entered this affair having won four straight.
Undeniably, Saint Joseph's put up a strong fight, but the Orange did just enough to pull away with a 71-63 triumph, despite the 'Cuse continuing to perform miserably at the charity stripe this term. Syracuse basketball moved to 6-3 overall this stanza and 5-4 in its all-time series with the Hawks, which fell to 6-4 in the 2025-26 season. Next up, the 'Cuse will host fellow Empire State team Hofstra this coming Saturday at 4 pm EST.
Syracuse basketball wasn't stellar on offense in its win over Saint Joseph's.
Before playing the Hawks, the Orange was No. 75 in the NCAA NET rankings. Following this outcome, Syracuse basketball fell to No. 81 in the NET. Over at KenPom, the 'Cuse dropped from No. 63 to No. 67 overall.
Five Orange players reached double-figures in scoring, led by sophomore Tyler Betsey, who had 16 points. Redshirt senior small forward Nate Kingz added 14 points, while senior center William Kyle lll tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
TB got that DAWG in him 🥊🐶 pic.twitter.com/QQX8bBlkq9
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) December 12, 2025
The 'Cuse shot 47.2 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc and just 53.6 percent from the free-throw line. Saint Joseph's out-rebounded the Orange, 44-34, which is concerning and an ongoing issue for Syracuse basketball in 2025-26, along with its free-throw shooting. Sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman missed his fifth straight game due to a lower-body injury.
On defense, the 'Cuse held Saint Joseph's to 35.7 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from deep. Syracuse basketball forced the Hawks into 14 turnovers, whereas the 'Cuse had 10 miscues. In other statistical categories, the Orange led 12-10 in points off turnovers, 22-5 in bench points, 36-30 in paint points and 7-4 in blocks.
Saint Joseph's, on the other hand, held advantages of 13-9 in second-chance points, 16-11 in fast-break points and 10-9 in assists. Each team had seven steals.