Syracuse Snaps Skid Behind Career Night from Nate Kingz, Hot Shooting vs. Notre Dame
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange needed a response, and they got one - in emphatic fashion.
After four straight losses, Syracuse got back in the win column Saturday night with an 86-72 victory over Notre Dame inside the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange shot the lights out, hitting 57% from the field and 40% from deep, but it was more than just a hot hand - it was a night where everything clicked offensively, and the stars stepped up.
Leading the charge was Nate Kingz, who turned in a career-best 28 points, showcasing his full offensive arsenal. He was confident, aggressive, and efficient, knocking down threes, attacking the rim, and delivering in key moments.
JJ Starling, facing his former team, came out on fire - hitting his first six shots and finishing with 21 points and five assists. The duo set the tone early and never let Notre Dame get too comfortable.
William Kyle chipped in 10 points and 8 boards, providing interior stability, while Donnie Freeman, despite coming off the bench for just the third time this season, delivered valuable minutes in the frontcourt. Sadiq White got the start in his place and made the most of it, contributing early buckets and strong defensive energy.
Early Momentum and a Game-Breaking Run
Syracuse came out with purpose. At the first media timeout, they led 10-8 thanks to interior finishes from Kyle and White, and a pair of threes from Starling and Kingz.
Then came the run that cracked the game open - an 11-0 burst fueled by three straight threes (two from Starling, one from Kingz) and a pair of free throws from Kiyan Anthony. Just like that, a 12-all tie turned into a 21-12 Syracuse lead.
Tyler Betsey and Anthony checked in midway through the first half, and Betsey immediately made his presence felt with a corner three to extend the lead to 28-16. Freeman got on the board with a strong driving layup, but foul trouble sent him to the bench. That shifted Kyle back into the game, and Starling slid over to point guard duties.
Notre Dame tried to claw back. Braeden Shrewsberry knocked down a couple of threes, and Jalen Haralson delivered a highlight-reel dunk over Kyle in transition - the kind of play that usually swings momentum.
But Syracuse didn’t flinch. Kyle answered with a lob dunk off a Kingz assist, and Starling hit a smooth baseline jumper to keep the Irish at bay.
At the break, Syracuse led 40-31. Starling’s 17 first-half points led all scorers, and Syracuse had the edge in both shooting (6-of-12 from three) and rebounding (15-12).
Second Half: Kingz Takes Over, Orange Close the Door
If the first half belonged to Starling, the second was Kingz’s time to shine.
He opened the half with a corner three and a tough drive, pushing the lead to 49-37 by the first media timeout. Notre Dame’s Haralson continued to attack, throwing down another poster dunk on Kyle - his second of the night - but Betsey responded with a timely three, and Starling re-entered to steady the offense.
A chaotic sequence midway through the half saw Notre Dame’s Cole Certa hit a three, fall to the floor, and plead for a foul. Instead, he got a technical.
Freeman calmly knocked down both free throws, and Kingz buried another corner triple to push the lead to 57-44. Timeout, Notre Dame.
The Irish made one last push. Haralson completed a three-point play, and Shrewsberry kept hitting shots.
But every time Notre Dame threatened, Syracuse had an answer. Whether it was Starling creating off the dribble, Kingz hitting a tough shot late in the clock, or Freeman and White converting at the free throw line, the Orange kept the cushion intact.
Up 66-57 with under eight minutes to play, Syracuse hit a brief lull - two turnovers out of a timeout, the second of which led to a Certa three. Suddenly, it was a six-point game. But that was as close as it would get.
Kingz delivered a dagger - a deep three as the shot clock expired - and the Orange followed it up with a 9-0 run. White and Freeman added free throws, White finished a transition layup, and the lead ballooned back to 75-60. Notre Dame trimmed it to single digits again late, but Kingz sealed it with an alley-oop dunk and one, and Starling added the finishing touches.
With the game in hand, Syracuse cleared the bench. Bryce Zephir and Noah Lobdell checked in for the second straight game, a sign that the job was done.
A Night to Remember, and a Tribute to a Legend
This win wasn’t just about snapping a losing streak - it came on a night when the program honored the late Lawrence Moten, Syracuse’s all-time leading scorer, who passed away last summer at age 53. The Orange played with energy and purpose, and the performance felt like a fitting tribute to one of the program’s greats.
Now at 13-9 overall and 4-5 in conference play, Syracuse has a bit of momentum back. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if Kingz and Starling can continue to lead like this - and if the team can bottle up this offensive rhythm - the Orange could be a tough out down the stretch.