Syracuse basketball wrapped up the non-conference portion of its 2024-25 season on a positive note.
The Orange, on Saturday afternoon from the JMA Wireless Dome, defeated Patriot League member Bucknell (4-9 overall) by a final count of 75-63. It wasn't always pretty, yet the 'Cuse found a way to prevail after having dropped four of its past five contests.
With Saturday's outcome, which moved the Orange to 11-1 in its all-time series against the Bison, Syracuse basketball is now 6-6 overall and 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Orange's final non-conference record is a so-so 6-5. If the 'Cuse wants to have any realistic shot of reaching the post-season at the conclusion of 2024-25, it will have to do some serious damage in ACC competition.
Speaking of that, next up for the Orange is a home conference clash with Wake Forest, with the tip-off scheduled for 2 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and ESPN2 providing television coverage.
Here's who led Syracuse basketball to its victory against Bucknell in Central New York.
Graduate student center Eddie Lampkin Jr.
Lampkin notched his third double-double of the 2024-25 term as he collected a team-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. He was 7-of-8 from the field.
Freshman power forward Donnie Freeman
The 2024 five-star prospect netted his fifth double-double this term, producing 15 points, 11 boards and three assists. Freeman hit on 5-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Senior point guard Jaquan Carlos
Carlos nearly had a double-double of his own, finishing with 11 points, a team-high nine dimes, five rebounds and three steals. He played all 40 minutes and was 4-of-9 from the field.
Redshirt junior guard Kyle Cuffe Jr.
Cuffe provided a key spark off the bench. He had nine points, three boards, one assist and two steals.
Senior guard Lucas Taylor
He was the Orange's most consistent threat from 3-point land versus Bucknell, going 3-of-5 from the perimeter. Taylor finished with nine points, one rebound, one assist and two steals.
Freshman forward Petar Majstorovic
In just 11 minutes of court time, Majstorovic poured in a career-high nine points, along with two rebounds. He connected on 3-of-4 from the field, including 1-of-1 from deep.
In various statistical categories, the 'Cuse led 20-19 in points off turnovers, 14-9 in second-chance points, 27-12 in bench points, 34-22 in paint points, 43-27 in rebounds, 13-12 in steals, and 16-13 in assists.
Syracuse basketball, however, committed 21 turnovers, which is far too many. Naturally, the Orange will want to clean that up before getting into the heart of its ACC calendar.