Fellow Empire State team Niagara sure was pesky on Saturday afternoon in its exhibition against Syracuse basketball at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The Purple Eagles trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half but cut their deficit to just seven points at the intermission, 33-26.
In the second half, Niagara simply wouldn't go away. With about eight minutes to go in regulation, the Purple Eagles were only down 52-48. Ultimately, though, the Orange had too much size inside and dominated Niagara in the paint. Final score: Syracuse basketball wins, 71-58.
This was the third and final exhibition tune-up for SU and its first-year head coach, Gerry McNamara. Earlier this month, the Orange fell to UConn, 72-52, at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Last Sunday, the 'Cuse trailed McNamara's former team, Siena, by one point at the half but emerged victorious, 81-76, at the MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y.
Syracuse basketball will officially open its 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2, against non-conference foe New Haven at the JMA Wireless Dome. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 pm EST, with live-streaming coverage on the ACC Network Extra.
Syracuse basketball defeated a stubborn Niagara group on Saturday in Buffalo.
In Saturday's exhibition win, McNamara played 11 guys. Ten of them scored, and everyone who scored had at least three points. Junior guard Aiden Tobiason didn't play, which wasn't a surprise. McNamara recently said that he would likely be out for a few weeks due to an injury that he suffered in the Orange's loss to the Huskies.
Junior guard Gavin Doty led the 'Cuse with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Junior center Luke Wilson had 12 points, five boards, two assists, two blocks and two steals. Fifth-year forward Amarri Monroe chipped in nine points and seven rebounds. Freshman point guard Ryan Moesch added nine points, three boards, six assists and four steals.
As a team, Syracuse basketball made 44.8 percent from the field, 24.0 percent from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line. Niagara connected on 37.0 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from 3-point land and 68.8 percent from the charity stripe.
In other statistical categories, the Orange led big in total rebounds, 43-24, along with 31-22 in bench points, 6-4 in blocks, 13-4 in fast-break points, 8-7 in steals, 36-18 in paint points and 13-2 in second-chance points.
On the flip side, Niagara led 14-9 in turnovers forced. The two squads were tied at 13-13 in assists and at 11-11 in points off turnovers. Credit head coach Greg Paulus and his Purple Eagles' roster for fighting tough. Syracuse basketball now looks toward the regular season, and the Orange has a lot of work to do.
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