Double OT Thriller: Syracuse Outlasts Cal 107-100 in Wild, Power-Interrupted Battle at the Dome
In a season that’s had more valleys than peaks for Syracuse, Wednesday night delivered a much-needed jolt of excitement - and not just from the scoreboard. The Orange outlasted California 107-100 in a double-overtime rollercoaster at the JMA Wireless Dome, a game that featured 28 lead changes, 15 ties, and two unexpected power surges that briefly knocked out lights and scoreboards.
It was the kind of chaotic, high-octane showdown that reminds you why college basketball in February is can’t-miss TV - even if the lights go out.
Power Outages and a Throwback Scoreboard
With lake-effect snow blanketing Central New York, the Dome wasn’t just battling Cal - it was battling the elements. Two power surges during the game forced Syracuse to break out an old Daktronics scoreboard, the kind more at home at a summer hoops camp than a Division I arena.
But the throwback vibes didn’t slow down the action. If anything, they added to the drama.
Syracuse turned it up in the extra frames, riding the energy of Donnie Freeman and Nate Kingz, who combined for 20 points across the two overtimes. It was a gritty, gutsy performance from a team that’s been searching for consistency all season.
Offensive Explosion and a Career Night for Kingz
The Orange (14-11, 5-7 ACC) were led by Nate Kingz, who dropped 27 points on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting night. JJ Starling matched a season-high with 21 points, also adding five rebounds and four steals in a two-way performance that helped steady Syracuse throughout the back-and-forth battle.
William Kyle bounced back in a big way after a tough week. The 6-foot-9 forward posted his fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. He also chipped in two blocks and two steals, doing the dirty work inside and setting the tone physically.
“Will Kyle was a man amongst boys today,” said head coach Adrian Autry postgame. “He had that will that we were not going to lose that game.”
Naithan George also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists, while Donnie Freeman added 16 points and six boards - most of it coming in clutch time. Freeman’s early struggles were noticeable, but Autry praised his resilience and ability to reset mentally.
“His first 30 minutes was not good, but he was cheering for his teammates,” Autry said. “Once he got back in, he really settled down. I thought he had a very, very good reset.”
Cal Shoots the Lights Out - Almost Literally
Cal (17-8, 5-7 Pac-12) came out firing from deep, hitting 5-of-10 from beyond the arc in the first half. For a moment, it felt like the Golden Bears were responsible for the Dome’s electrical issues. They cooled off a bit as the game wore on, but still finished 11-of-30 from three (36.7%), keeping pressure on Syracuse’s perimeter defense all night.
John Camden, a one-time Syracuse recruit, torched the Orange for 21 points and hit 5-of-11 from deep. He was left wide open far too often, and made Syracuse pay.
Chris Bell, returning to the Dome after transferring from Syracuse, added 18 points and knocked down 4-of-8 from three in his homecoming. Dai Dai Ames led Cal with 23 points, while Milos Ilic posted a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Syracuse Spoils Cal’s Tournament Hopes
For Cal, this was more than just a loss - it was a missed opportunity with real implications. The Golden Bears came into the night clinging to life on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Syracuse represented one of their final Quadrant 1 chances, and they couldn’t capitalize.
With other bubble teams like TCU, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State picking up big wins this week, Cal’s path to the tournament just got a lot murkier. They now have just one more Quad 1 opportunity left - a regular season finale at Wake Forest - and the pressure is mounting.
Kiyan Anthony Returns to the Floor
Kiyan Anthony was back in the rotation after logging a DNP in Syracuse’s previous game at Virginia - a decision that sparked plenty of speculation after his father, Carmelo Anthony, left a cryptic “SMFH” comment on social media during the team’s loss to North Carolina.
Autry later clarified that the decision not to play Anthony was purely strategic, citing Virginia’s physicality and experience. On Wednesday, the freshman guard saw 14 minutes of action, drawing a warm ovation from the home crowd when he checked in. He finished with two points, one rebound, one assist, and one block - a modest stat line, but a step forward in a season that’s been anything but predictable.
A Wild One in the Books
This was the first time Syracuse cracked the 100-point mark all season, and it came in a game where they had to fight for every bucket, every rebound, and every possession. The Orange closed the first half on an 8-2 run to tie things at 35, and from there, it was a dogfight until the final buzzer.
Syracuse improved to 5-1 all-time against Cal, and Adrian Autry’s bizarre coaching stat lives on - he’s now 0-3 in single-overtime games, and 3-0 in games that go to multiple overtimes.
Go figure.
But more than anything, this was a game that reminded fans why they watch. It had drama, big shots, unlikely heroes, and even a few power outages. In a season where Syracuse has struggled to find its identity, Wednesday night gave the Orange - and their fans - a reason to believe there’s still some fight left in this team.