The Syracuse Orange mounted a thrilling comeback from a 17-point deficit in the first half to defeat the Fighting Irish 77-69. Both teams entered this game desperate for a win to stay in contention in the ACC. Notre Dame dominated the first half, slowing Syracuse’s offense at every turn, and it appeared the game might get out of hand early. However, the Cardiac Cuse surged in the second half, led by head coach Adrian Autry.
Photo Cred: Syracuse
Autry, who has faced criticism for the team’s struggles this season, demonstrated his willingness to stick with a hot lineup, which paid off today. He relied heavily on two veterans—guard JJ Starling and center Eddie Lampkin—to lead the charge. Junior guard Kyle Cuff Jr. also came off the bench to contribute 13 much-needed points. Lampkin’s energy was especially evident in the second half, where his physicality and speed took over the game.
The graduate student scored 13 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out four assists. He was instrumental in the pick-and-roll, both scoring and setting up teammates. Lampkin combined power and finesse to break down the Fighting Irish defense and help Syracuse take control. JJ Starling had a standout performance, logging 21 points against his former team.
While he struggled in the first half, he found his rhythm in the second, finishing 7-of-20 from the field. Starling’s playmaking was critical in orchestrating the Syracuse offense, running both point guard and shooting guard positions. His chemistry with Lampkin in the pick-and-roll was particularly effective in the paint. Late in the game, Syracuse led 69-65 with just over two minutes remaining.
Notre Dame didn’t regain possession until only 1:11 remained on the clock. During that stretch, Syracuse’s persistence on the offensive boards was evident, grabbing five offensive rebounds. Lampkin drew a foul during the sequence, though he missed both free throws. Despite not scoring during the possession, the Orange maintained possession for over a minute during crunch time. This grit and determination ultimately allowed Syracuse to hold off the Fighting Irish and secure the win.
The Cardiac Cuse showed their trademark resilience once again. Syracuse will continue, hoping to secure a crucial Quad 1 win. The Tigers will present one of the toughest challenges of the season. While Autry and the Orange showed their tenacity against Notre Dame, they have a lot of work ahead if they want to stay in the ACC race.
