Syracuse Triumphs in Double Overtime Thriller
In a thrilling matchup that extended into double overtime, Syracuse University triumphed over the University of California with a score of 107-100 on Wednesday evening in Syracuse, New York. Nate Kingz was the standout performer for the Orange, contributing a team-high 27 points. His efforts were bolstered by double-doubles from teammates Naithan George and William Kyle III, solidifying a strong offensive showing from Syracuse.
Dramatic Finish
The game featured a dramatic finish, especially in the second overtime, where Syracuse took control with an early 8-2 run. A crucial moment came when Kyle hit a free throw, followed by Donnie Freeman scoring two layups and Kingz sinking a three-pointer that pushed the Orange ahead 99-93 with just under two minutes remaining.
Regulating the pace, Freeman added another layup, while Syracuse secured the game by converting free throws. Before overtime commenced, the Orange had struggled significantly from beyond the arc, having missed 15 of their last 16 three-point attempts. However, a crucial 3-pointer from George with 57 seconds left in regular time put Syracuse ahead 78-76. The momentum shifted again when Dai Dai Ames scored a layup to even the score at 78 just before the end of regulation, following a Syracuse turnover that allowed Ames a shot as time expired, which he missed, sending the game to overtime.
Overtime Highlights
In the first overtime, an airball from Ames was saved by Milos Ilic, who scored off the rebound at the buzzer, resulting in a 91-91 tie. Overall, Kingz was efficient, making 8 of his 14 shots and hitting three shots from three-point range. J.J. Starling also made a notable contribution for Syracuse, scoring 21 points, while Kyle recorded a robust performance with 15 points and an impressive 16 rebounds, and George contributed 14 points along with 10 assists.
California’s Performance
For California, Ames was noticeably active, scoring 23 points despite a challenging night shooting (10-of-25 and 0-for-5 from three). John Camden added strength for the Golden Bears with five three-pointers and 21 points, while Chris Bell chipped in 18 points and Ilic rounded out their scoring with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Game Context and Upcoming Matches
This game marked the first meeting between the two teams at the JMA Wireless Dome, which had to rely on generator power due to outages in the area. Looking ahead, California is set to face Boston College on Saturday, while Syracuse will host SMU on the same day.
