Syracuse Guts Out Double-OT Thriller Over Cal, Eyes SMU Showdown Saturday
The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team heads into Saturday’s matchup against SMU with a much-needed jolt of momentum-and it didn’t come easy.
After dropping six of their last eight, the Orange clawed their way to a wild 107-100 double-overtime win over California on Wednesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome. It was the kind of gritty, emotionally charged victory that can shift a team’s trajectory, especially with a tough non-conference test looming against the SMU Mustangs.
Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, airing on The CW Network and streaming live via DIRECTV.
A Win That Took Everything
This wasn’t just a win-it was a war of attrition. A game featuring 28 lead changes, 14 ties, and two extra periods, capped off by a Syracuse squad that refused to fold when it mattered most.
Senior Nate Kingz led the charge with a season-high 27 points, delivering clutch buckets and steady leadership throughout the chaos. The Orange moved to 14-11 overall and 5-7 in the ACC, but more importantly, they showed signs of cohesion and resilience that had been missing during their recent slide.
And it wasn’t just Kingz. This was a total team effort.
Six Syracuse players hit double figures, with William Kyle III turning in a monster performance-15 points and a career-best 16 rebounds. His presence in the paint was a difference-maker all night, helping Syracuse outscore Cal 62-46 inside and edge them 43-41 on the boards.
J.J. Starling matched his season high with 21 points, Donnie Freeman added 16, Naithan George chipped in 14, and freshman Sadiq White Jr. rounded out the scoring punch with 10.
Surviving the Chaos
The game had the feel of a March thriller, and it wasn’t just the scoreboard keeping fans on edge.
With regulation tied at 78-78-thanks to a late layup from Cal’s Dai Dai Ames-Syracuse had a shot to win it in the final seconds but turned the ball over. Fortunately for the Orange, their defense held firm to force overtime.
The first OT ended just as dramatically. After Syracuse took a late lead, Cal’s Mlos Ilic snatched an offensive rebound and tipped it in at the buzzer to knot things at 91-91, sending the game into double overtime.
But that’s when Syracuse finally broke through.
Kyle III hit a free throw, Freeman knocked down a jumper, and Kingz buried a dagger corner three to stretch the lead to 99-93. From there, Freeman and Starling iced it at the line, closing out a game that felt like it might never end.
Oh, and did we mention the power outage?
At one point, play was halted due to a temporary loss of electricity in the Dome. Both teams agreed to continue once the lights came back on-a fitting twist in a game that already had everything.
Looking Ahead: SMU Comes to Town
Now the Orange turn their attention to SMU, a team that brings its own set of challenges. While Syracuse has struggled to find consistency, Wednesday’s win showed what this group is capable of when the pieces click.
If Kingz continues to lead with confidence, Kyle III controls the glass, and the supporting cast keeps contributing across the board, Syracuse has a real shot to build something down the stretch.
Saturday’s game isn’t just another non-conference tilt-it’s a chance to prove that Wednesday wasn’t a fluke. It’s a chance to show they’re turning the corner.
And after a double-overtime gut check like that, you get the feeling this team might be ready to do just that.