Syracuse senior Nate Kingz converted a contested layup in the final seconds to give the Orange a 79-78 lead, and Syracuse (15-11, 6-7 ACC) held off SMU (17-8, 6-6) in a comeback victory at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore Donnie Freeman paced the Orange attack with 18 points and added a career-high four blocks. Senior Naithan George posted 16 points, while Freshman Kiyan Anthony tied his ACC scoring high with 13 points off the bench. The Orange made 11 3-pointers, tying a season high.
Freshman Jaden Toombs had 19 points to lead the Mustangs, who saw six players score in double figures. Boopie Miller, the league’s sixth-highest scorer, was held to just 11 points, tying a season-low.