In another game where Syracuse missed crucial free throws, it made them when it mattered most.
Naithan George led the Orange with 22 points in its 91-83 win over Northeastern, hitting four free throws when the Huskies cut the deficit to 80-75 with 1:40 left to play. Syracuse came into the game as the worst free-throw shooting team in the country, making just 58% of their attempts, but it made 11 free throws in the final two minutes to seal the win.
For all but five minutes, Syracuse led against the Huskies, who remained within striking distance throughout the game and had a response for every run from the Orange. Freshman Kiyan Anthony scored 18 points off the bench for Syracuse, making a pair of the Orange’s 11 free throws down the stretch.
The Orange improved to 8-4 in the win, while the Huskies dropped to 4-6. It was another victory in unconvincing fashion for Syracuse after its 76-62 win over Mercyhurst, and the Orange will look to gain some much-needed momentum ahead of its final non-conference game against Stonehill Monday.
Slow start hurts Syracuse
Syracuse’s offense came out sluggish against the Huskies. Nate Kingz kicked off the scoring for Syracuse with a nifty spinning layup, but the Orange made just three of their next eleven shots. After a Northeastern fastbreak dunk, the Huskies led 14-9 midway through the first period, forcing the Orange to call a timeout.
An and-one from George and four straight points from William Kyle helped Syracuse snap out of its funk, and the Orange settled in offensively to end the first half shooting 54.2% from the field. With its offense humming, Syracuse pressured Northeastern in the halfcourt and went into the break with a 41-31 lead.
It wasn’t an issue against Northeastern, but it will be tougher for the Orange to overcome similar slow starts in ACC play, which Syracuse will open against Clemson at the JMA Wireless Dome on Dec. 31. The Tigers are winless in road games this season, but are 9-3 overall and will be a tough opponent for the Orange.
Balanced scoring effort highlights improved depth
George led the way for Syracuse with his game-high 22 points on an efficient 5-for-8 shooting from the field, but he had plenty of help. Of the six players who scored for the Orange, only JJ Starling didn’t score at least 10 points, ending with nine. The other five all had at least 14 points.
With all of its scorers contributing, Syracuse was able to set up its half-court offense more easily and attack the soft spots in Northeastern’s defense. The Orange’s bench also proved to be a major advantage, as Anthony scored as many points as Northeastern’s entire bench combined.
Tyler Betsey, one of Syracuse’s best floor spacers, finished with 14 points off the bench despite hitting just one three-pointer. While the Orange won’t get 32 points from their bench every night, one of Syracuse’s main goals this offseason was to add depth to its roster, and there’s no denying this year’s team is deeper than last season’s.
Free throws and three-pointers remain a work in progress
Despite the Orange’s improved depth, one of last year’s biggest weaknesses remains a work in progress. Syracuse shot just 25% from beyond the arc, making only three of its 12 three-point attempts.
It was another game with crucial missed free throws from the Orange, even though they made them in the clutch. Kyle missed a pair of free throws with Syracuse up 79-69 late in the second half, and after Northeastern scored four straight points to cut the deficit to six, Kyle missed another two free throws.
After the two teams traded misses, Kingz split a pair to give the Orange five missed free throws in less than two minutes of game time. It didn’t hurt Syracuse against Northeastern, and the Orange did rebound to finish at 70.8% for the game, but its late-game management will be an issue moving forward if Syracuse can’t be consistent in that department.
While the Orange may have endured a nervy finish to beat Northeastern, they will head into their final non-conference game against Stonehill having won four of their last five games. Ahead of ACC play, that momentum could be key in helping Syracuse improve on last year’s program-worst 7-13 record against conference opponents.
