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When Syracuse took a 63-51 lead over Southern Methodist University with 10 minutes remaining on Tuesday, it looked to be the same story for SU. For the third straight road game, the Orange built a double-digit lead in the second half, exerting complete control. Although, their previous two road contests ended the same way, with them blowing a comfortable lead.
First, it was an 11-point lead to Pittsburgh, which was as large as 16 in the first half. Then came a 13-point collapse with 11 minutes remaining against Virginia Tech. Both followed the same tune. Syracuse couldn’t get a stop down the stretch, and poor offensive execution compounded the issue. It created a sense that the Orange couldn’t close out any close game.
That continued on Tuesday, with Syracuse (12-18, 6-13 Atlantic Coast) falling to SMU (22-8, 13-6, Atlantic Coast) 77-75. The Orange led for 35 minutes, but yet again, it wasn’t enough, as Keon Ambrose-Hylton tapped home a Boopie Miller miss with three seconds left to give the Mustangs the lead. Six different players reached double figures for Syracuse, led by Lucas Taylor’s 13 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent another collapse for the Orange.
With 1:24 remaining, Adrian Autry called a timeout after Samet Yiğitoğlu split a pair of free throws to tie the game for the first time in the second half. Eddie Lampkin Jr. did the same on the other end, forcing Yiğitoğlu to foul out. Then, Miller set up Ambrose-Hylton as the Mustangs captured the lead. Jaquan Carlos went 1-for-2 at the line, giving SMU a chance to win the game with the last shot.
Miller missed a floater, but Ambrose-Hylton tapped home the rebound with three seconds left. J.J. Starling heaved the ball from halfcourt at the buzzer, but it rimmed out.
Keeping up with SMU’s high-octane and balanced offense was always going to be a challenge. All of SMU’s starters average double figures, helping it have the third-highest scoring offense in the ACC, with 81.7 points per game.
Early on, Syracuse outpaced SMU, thanks to an explosion from Taylor. The Georgia State transfer totaled just 12 minutes against VT before fouling out on Saturday. But Taylor came out scorching hot against SMU.
He opened the game with a 3-pointer from the top of the key, which was followed by a mid-range jumper to put Syracuse up 5-0. He later drilled back-to-back triples, confidently stepping into each attempt to give him 11 early points. Following Taylor’s second triple, SMU head coach Andy Enfield took a timeout, with Syracuse leading 18-10. Taylor’s early burst was the most points he’s scored since Feb. 1 against Cal, and his three 3s tied the most he’s hit in a game this season.
After a strong start offensively, Starling was forced out of the game after colliding with Chuck Harris attempting to corral a loose ball. SU’s leading scorer only missed three-and-a-half minutes, but those were costly. The Orange’s lead had briefly grown to 10 following a Kyle Cuffe Jr. layup, but it evaporated by the time he returned.
Kario Oquendo drilled three 3-pointers as a part of a 10-3 spurt to make it 23-23. With seven minutes left, SMU took its first lead following a Tibet Gorener putback, though Syracuse responded well.
The Orange held the Mustangs without a field goal for over five minutes. SMU’s normally fast-paced offense was surprisingly stifled by SU’s defense. Chris Bell knocked down SU’s fifth and sixth 3s of the half, and the Orange’s lead eventually grew to nine. After four straight points by Miller, SMU looked to cut into the lead heading into the half, but Carlos banked in another 3 at the buzzer to put Syracuse up 44-36 at halftime.
Syracuse kept its foot on the pedal coming out of the break. Rather than a stagnant isolation-heavy offense, the Orange used crisp ball movement to garner strong looks. Lampkin backed down Yiğitoğlu on the left block before Carlos cut to the middle. Instead of forcing up a shot, the point guard dished to Jyáre Davis. The next time down the floor, Starling placed a perfect pass to Lampkin, increasing Syracuse’s lead to 50-39 after a 6-0 run.
It was a familiar position for the Orange, who’ve blown numerous leads throughout ACC play due to their porous defense and failure to execute down the stretch. This past weekend, they gave up 63 points to Virginia Tech in the second half and overtime, which averaged 69 per game.
Unlike VT, SMU entered Tuesday fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had the Mustangs in the “next four out,” category, meaning it was a must-win game. For large portions of the game, they didn’t play like that.
SMU attempted to make inroads throughout the second half and looked to be successful when Carlos tossed a lob to nobody, leading to a transition layup by Oquendo. The basket cut Syracuse’s lead to 55-51 with 12:49 left, and the inevitable collapse by the Orange looked to be on the horizon. Bell connected on a mid-range jumper from the baseline before drilling a corner 3, pushing Syracuse’s lead back to nine.
Down the stretch, the big question was whether the Orange could close it out despite their recent struggles. Then, Lampkin split a pair of free throws, and Harris responded with a 3, cutting the lead down to four with seven minutes left.
Each time SMU threatened to pull itself back, Syracuse answered. SU’s lead ping-ponged between four and eight constantly. It couldn’t put the game away, but SMU didn’t take advantage until the under-four-minute timeout.
Then, Yiğitoğlu scored deep in the post to make it a one-possession game for the first time in the second half. Harris bullied Starling in the paint soon after, making it 73-72 with 2:07 remaining. On SMU’s next possession, Yiğitoğlu split free throws to level the game.
Down the stretch, Syracuse made one less play than the Mustangs and it cost it, as the Orange couldn’t hold on to their lead once again.
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