Syracuse University’s basketball team faced another defeat, losing to the Miami Hurricanes 85-76 on January 21, 2024, at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange (12-8, 3-4 ACC) struggled from the outset, falling behind early and failing to regain control throughout the match.
The game started poorly for Syracuse, with Miami scoring nine unanswered points within the first few minutes. A timeout called by head coach Adrian Autry seemed to help, as Syracuse responded with an 8-2 run, featuring two three-pointers from Naithan George. Despite this brief resurgence, Miami quickly regained momentum, leading 20-10 before the first media timeout.
Syracuse managed to tie the game at 27 with just over four minutes left in the first half, thanks to a strong performance from Kiyan Anthony, who contributed seven points during a critical 9-2 run. However, Miami closed the half strong, ultimately leading 41-36 at the break.
In the second half, the teams traded baskets early on, but Miami steadily pulled away. The Hurricanes extended their lead to as much as 13 points, driven by a combination of accurate shooting and strong rebounding. Syracuse was unable to mount a significant comeback, despite multiple efforts to narrow the gap.
The Orange did show flashes of resilience, cutting the deficit to eight points on four occasions and getting it down to seven with under two minutes remaining. Yet, Miami’s dominance on the boards (37-21) and efficient shooting (61.6 percent overall and 64.3 percent in the second half) proved insurmountable.
Donnie Freeman led Syracuse with 14 points, scoring ten in the second half. Both George and Anthony added 13 points, with George also contributing three steals. Nate Kingz and William Kyle III chipped in with 11 and 10 points respectively.
On the opposing side, Malik Reneau was a standout performer for Miami, recording a game-high 20 points while shooting 8-of-12 from the field. He also secured 11 rebounds and dished out five assists. Teammates Tre Donaldson and Shelton Henderson each scored 16 points, while Tru Washington added 14.
Syracuse continues to struggle in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with their record now standing at 3-4. The team’s inability to capitalize on forced turnovers and their struggles in rebounding highlight areas that need improvement as they prepare for upcoming games.
The Orange will look to break their losing streak in their next match, aiming to regain momentum and improve their standing in the conference. For further updates on Syracuse athletics, fans can visit the Syracuse Orange discussion forum.
