Syracuse men’s basketball closed its regular season Saturday evening with a 71-69 overtime loss to Pittsburgh at the JMA Wireless Dome.
The Orange finished the regular season 15-16 overall and 6-12 in ACC play after dropping their fifth straight game. Pittsburgh improved to 12-19 and 5-13 in conference play.
Syracuse carried a 31-28 lead into halftime after closing the first half on a 7-0 run behind strong play from Naithan George and Donnie Freeman. George led the Orange with 12 first-half points as Syracuse recovered from an early deficit.
Pittsburgh took control early in the second half, using a 12-0 run to build a 45-35 advantage with just under 13 minutes remaining. Syracuse responded with a 10-0 run sparked by George and Freeman to cut the deficit and eventually tied the game at 52-52 with just over six minutes to play.
The teams traded baskets in the closing minutes of regulation before Freeman tied the slot gacor game with two free throws to make it 65-65. Both teams missed opportunities in the final minute, sending the contest to overtime.
George and Freeman each scored early in the extra period, but neither team scored during the final 2:37. With 10 seconds remaining, Pittsburgh’s Nojus Indrusaitis drove to the basket and officials ruled goaltending on William Kyle III, giving the Panthers a 71-69 lead. George’s halfcourt attempt at the buzzer missed.
George finished with a season-high 26 points for Syracuse, while Freeman added 18 points and 13 rebounds. Nate Kingz also scored 14 points.
The Orange will enter the ACC Tournament as the No. 14 seed.
GAME RECAP LINKS
- Orange Fall to Pittsburgh in Overtime (Cuse.com)
- Syracuse caps disappointing regular season with 71-69 OT loss to Pitt (DailyOrange.com)
- Pittsburgh 71, Syracuse 69 (OT): Panthers down Orange in final game (NunesMagician.com)
- Syracuse rallies, but falls to Pittsburgh in overtime, 71-69 (SI.com)
- Observations from SU’s overtime loss to Pitt: Late push, Starling struggles (DailyOrange.com)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
ADRIAN AUTRY’S POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].