Second Half Surge Lifts Orange By Pace In Final Exhibition

Wednesday, October 29

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 PM

Syracuse University

0-0,0-0ACC

Pace (exhibition)

0-0,0-0NE10

Pace

Syracuse

Second Half Surge Lifts Orange By Pace In Final Exhibition

10/29/2025 9:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Syracuse wrapped up its exhibition slate on Wednesday by defeating Pace, 75-57, at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Donnie Freeman led the way for Syracuse, finishing with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting. He was the team's leading rebounder with nine. Sadiq White Jr. shined in his first action in a Syracuse uniform, notching 14 points while knocking down 6-of-8 shots from the field. William Kyle III and Nate Kingz joined the two in double-digit scoring with 10 points each.

The Orange played strong down the stretch of the second half, closing on a 25-8 run over the final 10 minutes.

How the Game was Decided:
The first half was a defensive battle from start to finish. Syracuse held Pace to 33.3% shooting over the opening nine minutes, with Kiyan Anthony leading the way with four early points, including a three-pointer. Freeman added four of his own as the Orange took a 12-11 lead at the 11-minute mark.

The defensive matchup persisted throughout the half before Syracuse closed on a 6-3 run over the final three minutes to take a 29-27 lead into the break.

Freeman kept it rolling with 11 first-half points on 4-of-7 shooting. White Jr. posted six points on 3-of-5 shooting. The Orange were aggressive down low, recording 18 of their 29 points in the paint in the first 20 minutes of the game.

The teams traded baskets to start the second half and were knotted at 35-35 at the 17-minute mark. Kyle III asserted himself, scoring six points over the next three minutes for the Orange. Syracuse closed on a 25-8 run over the final 10 minutes of the game as the Orange coasted to victory.

Strong Second Half

The Orange caught fire after halftime, connecting on 60.7% of their field goal attempts. Syracuse outscored the Setters 46-30 in the frame, including a stretch that saw the Orange embark on a blistering 20-1 run.

Kyle III jump started the offense to begin the half by converting his first four shots and opening with eight points in the first four minutes.

Notable Numbers

Donnie Freeman led the Orange with 22 points and nine rebounds.
Syracuse generated 18 of its 29 first-half points in the paint.
The Orange shot 69.3% over the opening nine minutes of the second half.
Syracuse dominated with a 20-1 run over a seven-minute stretch in the second half.
The Orange piled up 44 points in the paint.
Syracuse caused 23 turnovers.

Up Next
Syracuse shifts its focus to the regular season opener against Binghamton. The game against the Bearcats will take place on Monday, November 3^rd at the JMA Wireless Dome with first tip set for 7 p.m.

TICKETS
Season and individual tickets are available at cuse.com/feature/basketball-tickets

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on X (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (cuse_mbb).