Syracuse basketball wins at Boston College; J.J. Starling says it's 'big time for us'

Syracuse basketball, playing its second straight game without its leading rebounder, picked up its first road victory of the 2024-25 season on Saturday afternoon, as the Orange beat long-time rival Boston College by eight points.

In the second half at the Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., it didn't necessarily look like Syracuse basketball would come out on top. With about nine minutes left in regulation, the 'Cuse found itself trailing the Eagles, 54-46.

No worries. All the Orange did was go on a 33-17 run to close out a 79-71 triumph, the program's second consecutive win despite freshman power forward Donnie Freeman having also missed his second contest in a row due to a lower right leg injury.

This past Tuesday evening at the JMA Wireless Dome, with Freeman not available, the 'Cuse beat Georgia Tech, 62-55, which represented the Orange's first Atlantic Coast Conference victory and the team's first win versus a power conference foe in 2024-25.

I don't want to inflate things, because neither the Yellow Jackets nor Boston College (9-7, 1-4 in the ACC) is stellar this term. At the same time, for Syracuse basketball (8-8, 2-3 in the ACC) to prevail in both conference clashes, without Freeman, has to prove a confidence booster for this 'Cuse roster.

Top performers as Syracuse basketball conquered Boston College on Saturday.

First and foremost, the Orange had been averaging about 18 turnovers per game in recent affairs. Against the Eagles, the 'Cuse committed just five miscues.

Syracuse basketball went 5-of-15 from beyond the arc, which at 33 percent is so-so. Yet the Orange made a concerted effort to focus its scoring in the mid-range, in the paint, and at the free-throw line.

As a collective unit, Syracuse basketball connected on 49 percent from the field. The 'Cuse started 3-of-8 from the charity stripe but ultimately finished 16-of-22 there, meaning the squad made 13-of-14 at the line after that bad beginning. Syracuse basketball was also plus-three points from the stripe.

Five Orange players notched double-figures in scoring, led by junior guard J.J. Starling, who had a game-high 26 points along with five rebounds and three assists. Graduate student center Eddie Lampkin Jr. was a beast inside, tallying 10 points and 13 boards.

Redshirt junior guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. made two massive 3-pointers in the second half and had 10 points. Senior guard Lucas Taylor also connected on a pair of triples, producing 15 points in total.

Senior forward Jyare Davis was also excellent in the interior, as he generated 12 points and eight rebounds.

Saturday afternoon's outcome moves Syracuse basketball to 59-27 in its all-times series against Boston College. The 'Cuse has some nice momentum, and up next the Orange will host surging Louisville, which has won six straight, this coming Tuesday night beginning at 7 pm and airing on the ACC Network.

Having Starling back has proven huge these past few games. He had missed seven contests due to a left-hand injury. Hopefully, Freeman will return soon, too, so Syracuse basketball can be at full strength and see what its true ceiling might become in 2024-25.

After the win over the Eagles, Starling characterized the Orange notching its first road victory as "just big time for us" in an interview with The CW Network broadcast crew. He added that getting two ACC successes in a row "means a lot," and the 'Cuse will use this momentum heading into Tuesday evening's battle with the red-hot Cardinals.