Syracuse got more than a test in Albany. It got a fight.
After opening exhibition play with a loss to UConn, the Orange bounced back Sunday afternoon with an 81-76 win over Siena at MVP Arena, surviving a game that tightened late and never really let Syracuse get comfortable. The Orange will have one more exhibition next Saturday against Niagara before turning to the regular season on Nov. 2 against New Haven.
The afternoon carried a built-in storyline before the opening tip. Siena raised its 2025-26 MAAC championship banner and handed out rings, and Gerry McNamara was part of the ceremony after serving as the Saints’ head coach last season. Members of his staff were involved too, along with former Siena players Gavin Doty, Francis Folefac and Tasman Goodrick.
Once the game started, Syracuse spent a lot of time digging out of a hole. Siena jumped ahead 6-0, and the Orange were trailing for much of the first half before finally reaching halftime down just 39-38. Syracuse then pushed out to a 13-point lead in the second half, but Siena kept coming and trimmed the margin to 75-74 with 1:29 left.
The Orange closed it out with a steadier finish at the line, while Siena also missed some 3-pointers down the stretch. That combination was enough to get Syracuse over the line.
One issue that did not go away was rebounding. Syracuse was beaten on the glass by UConn, and it happened again here, with Siena holding a 43-37 edge.
For McNamara, that’s not the kind of result he wants to see against a mid-major opponent. Sadiq White Jr., who had talked about his one-rebound night against UConn, managed only one rebound again.
Luke Wilson led Syracuse with eight.
There were some encouraging individual performances, though. Garwey Dual, who logged just 10 minutes against UConn, had a more noticeable role in this one. He played 12 minutes and finished with eight points, five rebounds and two assists, showing he can contribute.
Mark Marano also made his presence felt after sitting out the UConn game entirely. He started and scored 18 points, knocking down 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Kiyan Anthony, meanwhile, saw very little of the floor. The son of Carmelo Anthony played eight minutes, did not score, grabbed one rebound and picked up two fouls. Whether McNamara was simply experimenting with different lineups or Anthony is sliding down the depth chart remains an open question.
Doty had the kind of night that fit the setting. In his return to Albany, he played 37 minutes and led Syracuse with 20 points, though he needed 15 shots to get there. He made up for it at the foul line, going 9-of-10 and providing a major boost in a game the Orange had to grind out.
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