Syracuse basketball snapped its two-game losing streak on Tuesday night, defeating Georgia Tech by seven points in a contest that the Orange needed to have.
It was far from pretty, but the 'Cuse, despite not having freshman power forward Donnie Freeman available due to an injury, managed to take care of the Yellow Jackets at home, giving Syracuse basketball its first Atlantic Coast Conference win and its first victory over a power conference opponent this term.
In my headline for this article, I characterized Tuesday evening's conference clash as a "pivotal game," because the Orange had lost two straight and six of its last eight encounters. The fan base, myself included, has grown increasingly frustrated, with some fans - not me - calling for second-year head coach Adrian Autry to be let go.
Dome dub! 🍊 pic.twitter.com/pwCxmUWy4B
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) January 8, 2025
The 'Cuse beat Georgia Tech, 62-55, on the Hill. Frankly, Syracuse basketball (7-8, 1-3 in the ACC) could ill afford to suffer a defeat at the hands of the Yellow Jackets (8-8, 2-3 in the ACC) at the Dome, primarily because the Orange needed a result to build off of, with the 'Cuse traveling to Boston College this Saturday afternoon.
I'm in no way suggesting that Syracuse basketball is a good team at this juncture, but we have to take things one game at a time. Freeman, the Orange's leading rebounder in 2024-25, wasn't available due to a lower right-leg injury, and I pray that he returns soon.
What's more, junior guard J.J. Starling, who had missed seven contests because of a left-hand injury, paced the 'Cuse with 21 points against Georgia Tech in his second game back. Undeniably, Starling changes the Orange's prospects, and if Freeman isn't out for a long stretch, let's see if Syracuse basketball can get some momentum going.
Syracuse basketball fared well on the glass versus the Yellow Jackets.
In conquering Georgia Tech, the 'Cuse moved to 9-8 in its all-time series with the Yellow Jackets. Besides Freeman, redshirt sophomore guard Chance Westry wasn't available "for medical reasons." I hope that he's okay.
Without Donnie Freeman, Syracuse beats Georgia Tech at home, 62-55, the Orange's first ACC and power conference win. Needed that. In his second game back, J.J. Starling paced SU with 21 points. Up next, 'Cuse (7-8, 1-3) is at Boston College this Saturday. 🧡🧡
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) January 8, 2025
Only five Syracuse basketball players scored on Tuesday. Starling had 21 points on 9-of-16 from the field. Graduate student center Eddie Lampkin Jr. tallied a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Junior small forward Chris Bell collected 13 points, senior guard/wing Lucas Taylor chipped in 10 points and senior forward Jyare Davis finished with eight points and nine boards.
Neither team shot well from the field, the free-throw line or beyond the arc. But the Orange was plus-nine on the boards. The 'Cuse continues to be sloppy with the ball, committing 18 turnovers against Georgia Tech, which was plus-eight in steals.
However, the Yellow Jackets only led 12-11 in points off turnovers. Most other statistical categories were relatively even.
Given the Orange's struggles in 2024-25, a win is a win, even if this game was tough to watch at times due to the poor shooting and abundance of miscues. Still, I credit Syracuse basketball players for grabbing a triumph, at home, minus one of their top scorers/rebounders.