Syracuse 76, Miami 85 – SU entered Saturday afternoon with everything but momentum. After consecutive ACC losses to Boston College and Virginia Tech, the Orange’s NCAA Tournament chances had dipped to just 2%. Still, with the 15–4 Miami Hurricanes in town, SU saw an opportunity to get back on track with a meaningful win inside the Dome.
It didn’t start that way.
Syracuse, which came in leading the ACC in turnovers, coughed the ball up three times in its first five possessions. Miami capitalized immediately, racing out to an 11–2 lead that drew loud boos from the crowd and a quick timeout from head coach Adrian Autry.
The Hurricanes stayed red hot early, knocking down five of their first six shots to grab a 20–10 advantage at the under-12 media timeout. Syracuse eventually found some life, trimming the deficit to four on a Sadiq White two-handed flush. White, who was soon subbed out for Donnie Freeman, finished with four points in 23 minutes.
With Freeman and Kyle Cuffe Jr. on the floor, the Orange settled in defensively, forcing two steals and blocking two shots in a short span. Then Kiyan Anthony sparked the Dome. The freshman drilled a three and followed it with a ferocious dunk to tie the game at 27.
The momentum didn’t last.
Miami responded with an 11–2 run of its own, reclaiming control. Despite Syracuse committing a season-low four turnovers in the first half, the Orange went into the break trailing 41–36.
Freeman, who scored just twice in the opening 20 minutes, jump-started SU to begin the second half with a right-hand jam. Minutes later, the sophomore knocked down a three and followed it with a jumper in the paint on the next possession.
But Miami answered every push.
After Syracuse cut the lead to four, the Hurricanes ripped off a decisive 15–6 run, stretching the margin to 69–56 — their largest lead of the game — with just under 10 minutes remaining. The key: Miami forward Malik Reneau, who ended with a game high 20 points and 11 rebounds.
With five minutes left and the deficit still at 10, frustration boiled over. A “Fire Autry” chant erupted from the student section before being quickly shut down by J.J. Starling’s father. Moments later, consecutive dunks from Miami forward Ernest Udeh effectively sealed it, sending Syracuse fans toward the exits as boos echoed through the Dome once again.
SU will face N.C. State on Monday. The Orange sit at 12-8.
