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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Adrian Autry has consistently echoed Syracuse is still learning how to win throughout the first stretch of his second season at the helm. With the Orange searching for solutions, they simultaneously began a crucial stretch toward building an NCAA Tournament resume.
The Legends Classic presented SU with its first Quad 1 matchups after its first three teams were against mid-major nonconference opponents. Though Syracuse’s comeback fell short against Texas Thursday, facing Texas Tech in the tournament’s consolation game presented a second crack at notching a Quad 1 win.
But Syracuse (3-2, Atlantic Coast Conference) fell 79-74 to Texas Tech (5-1, Big 12), getting swept in the Legends Classic. The Orange consistently stayed within a few possessions but only led for 1:43. Following a home game against Cornell, SU has two more early chances to register a Quad 1 win in road games versus Tennesse and Notre Dame.
Unlike its bout against the Longhorns, where it instantly faced a 9-0 deficit, SU traded baskets with the Red Raiders to begin the game. J.J. Starling sparked the Orange’s offense in transition with a layup before assisting a Chris Bell 3 to give them a 5-2 lead. SU slowed down from there, however, as Texas Tech obtained a 9-7 lead at the under-16 timeout.
While Syracuse’s offensive struggles continued, making 4-of-14 shots to begin the game, Bell’s second 3-pointer cut its deficit to 14-12 at the 12:31 mark. This ignited a 7-2 run, where Petar Majstorovic and Starling each connected on inside looks to tie the game 16-16.
3s from Starling and Elijah Moore then kept the Orange within a possession with 7:36 remaining in the half. Moore’s 3-pointer was SU’s fourth made triple of the half, the second time it has made that many in the opening 20 minutes this season.
Moore’s make cut Syracuse’s deficit to 24-22, but Texas Tech extended its lead to a game-high seven points after the Orange failed to score for three and a half minutes. SU put the ball in Starling’s hands to get back on the board.
The junior has led SU with 20.0 points per game through four games, with much of his damage coming from playing shooting guard. However, once Jaquan Carlos was subbed out after playing the first 14 minutes, Starling moved to point guard. Upon getting the ball at the top of the key, Syracuse cleared the lane for Starling. He drove the lane and converted on an easy layup.
Texas Tech entered the contest with the third-best effective field goal percentage (62.8%) in the country but struggled from the field in the first half. The Red Raiders shot just 13-of-32 in the first 20 minutes.
While they made 4-of-11 3s, a Christian Anderson miss regained SU possession. The Orange went to the same set with Starling at the top of the key. He slammed home two points to cut their deficit to 29-26. While JT Toppin — TTU’s leading scorer who was held just 2-for-8 in the first half — made a layup, Bell answered by making two free throws.
Syracuse’s stout defense persisted to close the half, keeping Texas Tech scoreless for the final two and a half minutes. Meanwhile, a Starling step back 3 — his then-game-high 14th points — helped SU go to the locker room tied 31-31.
The Orange continued their momentum to begin the second half, as a pair of Donnie Freeman made free throws gave them a 33-31 lead. TTU instantly responded with a second-chance Darrion Williams put back. Entering the game, Texas Tech’s 40.9 offensive rebounding percentage ranked 10th per KenPom.
The teams then traded free throws to keep the game tied. Then the Red Raiders went on a 3-point barrage. First, Elijah Hawkins nailed a triple to regain a 38-35 lead. While Freeman converted an and-one to again tie the game, TTU’s Chance McMillion drew nylon on back-to-back 3s to push its lead to 44-38 four minutes into the half. This forced SU to call timeout.
Out of the timeout, the Orange’s struggles continued. Over three minutes passed since Bell’s free throws tied the game 33-33. Though a shot-clock-beating mid-range jumper from Moore fell at the 14:30 mark, getting them back on track. After notching a defensive stand, a Carlos mid-range make cut SU’s deficit to 44-42.
Despite the mini-run, Syracuse couldn’t break through its deficit. Following a Williams inside miss, Federiko Federiko tipped in the offensive rebound. Jyáre Davis answered with free throw makes, but Texas Tech broke the game open with a 7-0 run.
First, Toppin slammed home an alley-oop. Following a Carlos offensive turnover, Williams nailed a 3. Moore tried answering with a triple of his own but missed the mark, allowing TTU to push with numbers. While it slowed down, this helped Williams drive the lane before converting on an easy layup. Trailing 55-44 with 10:44 remaining, Autry called timeout.
Upon returning to the court, Syracuse was in a funk. Though Bell and Starling scored three points on free throws, SU remained without a field goal for over five minutes. This propelled the Red Raiders’ lead to grow to 59-47 with 8:50 remaining before Bell nailed a 3 a minute later to cut the Orange’s deficit to nine.
Starling’s first made field goal in the second half then came a minute later on a dunk while Bell converted on four more free throws, cutting the score to 64-57 with six minutes remaining. Syracuse shot 24-of-28 — with Bell going 11-of-11 from the line against TTU after making just 9-of-18 against Texas yesterday.
The Orange continued chipping away on Moore’s third make and two Starling free throws, bringing their deficit to five with under five minutes remaining. But Williams, who led the Red Raiders with 20 points, answered with an easy drive inside. Then after notching a stop, Kevin Overton hauled in McMillian’s miss on the other end before converting on the second chance opportunity.
Still, following Eddie Lampkin Jr.’s — who had just four points — made shot with 3:16 remaining, Syracuse trailed 68-63. The teams remained separated by two possessions for the next two minutes, prompting the Orange to dial a press as the final minute approached.
The Red Raiders proceeded to push the ball up the court, but Bell notched a chase-down block. On the other end, he was open in the corner. He missed his 3, however, and Toppin banked in a layup.
While Syracuse continued to fight down the stretch it couldn’t survive Bell’s miss. The Red Raiders played turnover-free basketball while making all but one of their free throws, lifting them to a bounce-back win after falling to Saint Joseph’s.
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