The power went out, but Syracuse basketball was electric in double OT win over Cal

On this Wednesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome, the power went out in Central New York, and SU couldn't make its free throws (for the most part), yet Syracuse basketball willed its way to a seven-point triumph in double overtime against California, a team that resides on the proverbial bubble for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

In a thrilling Atlantic Coast Conference clash that included 15 ties and 28 lead changes, the Orange was woeful from the charity stripe and 3-point land, but SU still managed to come away with a 107-100 victory over the Golden Bears and former 'Cuse small forward Chris Bell, who finished with 18 points in his return to the Hill.

With this outcome, the Orange (14-11 overall, 5-7 in ACC) halted a two-game skid and a recent 1-6 stretch. The 'Cuse is now 5-1 in its all-time series with Cal, and Syracuse basketball will next host SMU on Saturday afternoon.

It's proven a rough 2025-26 season to date for the Orange, and news broke on Wednesday afternoon that SU athletics director John Wildhack would retire on July 1. Credit this Syracuse basketball roster and coaching staff for gutting out a gritty home conquest against Cal (17-8 overall, 5-7 in ACC), which is a quadrant-two win for the 'Cuse.

Syracuse basketball emerged victorious in double overtime over the Golden Bears.

It felt like the Orange did everything possible to choke this game away. That's an exaggeration, of course, but the 'Cuse went 6-of-25 (25.0 percent) from beyond the arc and a dismal 25-of-42 (59.5 percent) from the free-throw line. Syracuse basketball made 53.5 percent from the field as a whole.

Cal connected on 45.5 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from downtown and 76.0 percent from the charity stripe. In other statistical categories, the Orange led 43-41 in total rebounds, 30-27 in defensive rebounds, 17-16 in assists, 16-12 in turnovers forced, 14-11 in bench points, 9-3 in blocks, 22-9 in fast-break points (!!!), 12-8 in steals, 21-14 in points off turnovers and 62-46 in paint points.

On the flip side, the Golden Bears led 14-13 in offensive rebounds and 22-12 in second-chance points. California committed 26 personal fouls, as compared to 16 for the Orange.

Six SU players reached double-figures in scoring. Redshirt senior small forward Nate Kingz paced the 'Cuse with 27 points. He was 8-of-14 from the field. Senior shooting guard J.J. Starling added 21 points on 9-of-17 from the field.

Sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman started off slowly, but he ended with 16 points and six rebounds. Senior center William Kyle III was fabulous, playing with such high energy. He tallied 15 points and 16 rebounds, including seven offensive boards.

Freshman forward Sadiq White Jr. provided a spark off the bench, chipping in 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting in a mere nine minutes. Last but not least, junior point guard Naithan George produced 14 points, including a critical 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, along with 10 assists, four rebounds, three steals and five turnovers.