Syracuse Basketball Loses to Virginia – Sixth Loss in Seven Games

Charlottesville, Va. ― The Syracuse Orange lost for the sixth time in its last seven games as it fell 72-59 to No. 18 Virginia here at the John Paul Jones Arena on Saturday.

Syracuse was playing its second road game against a ranked opponent this week, following an 87-77 loss at No. 14 North Carolina last Monday.

This one was far different than Monday’s game in which the Tar Heels led by as much as 32 points in the second half.

Virginia led for most of the way, but whenever the Cavaliers extended their lead to double-digits, Syracuse was able to claw its way back into the game.

Syracuse guards Naithan George and JJ Starling carried the Orange. George scored 19 points, his highest total in an ACC game this season. Starling added 13 points.

But the Orange couldn’t match Virginia’s 3-point shooting. The Cavaliers connected on 10 of their 30 attempts from beyond the arc, while Syracuse went 3-for-11.

Syracuse couldn’t overcome that 21-point differential from the 3-point line.

When Syracuse got within 65-59 with just over 2 minutes left, Virginia freshman Chance Mallory drained a 3-pointer to boost the Cavs’ lead back to nine points.

Syracuse would not score again.

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Virginia created more offense with its defense, forcing Syracuse into 13 turnovers. The Cavs enjoyed a 17-to-8 edge in points off turnovers.

Syracuse’s record now dips to 13-11 overall and 4-7 in the ACC.

Virginia improves to 20-3 on the season and 9-2 in the conference.

Donnie Freeman, SU’s leading scorer on the season, was held to five points on 2-for-11 shooting. It was the lowest output for Freeman this season, but it’s the second time in the last three games that he’s been held under 10 points. He had seven points in the Orange’s win over Notre Dame last Saturday.

Freeman didn’t score in the second half.

His first bucket came with 10:27 left in the first half. He then barked at a referee and received a technical foul.

Syracuse freshman Kiyan Anthony, who was averaging 8.9 points and had appeared in every game this season, did not play in Saturday’s game.

Syracuse trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but rallied to tie the score at 33-all before going into the halftime break down 38-35.

Syracuse shot the ball well from the field, hitting 14 out of 24 (58%) of its shots. However, the Orange was only 2-for-5 from 3-point range, while Virginia went 6-for-15 from beyond the arc.

Jacari White’s second 3-pointer of the game gave Virginia a 28-16 lead midway through the half.

SU coach Adrian Autry called a timeout after which the Orange went back to driving the ball into the lane with George and Starling.