Syracuse Faces Mercyhurst in Midweek Matchup

Game Details: Wednesday, December 17, Syracuse, N.Y., 4:00 p.m.
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Syracuse (6-4) continues its string of December home games with Mercyhurst (4-7) set to visit the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Homestand Continues
Syracuse finds itself amid a seven-game homestand, with the matchup against the Lakers serving as the fourth leg. After the first three games of the stretch, Syracuse is 2-1, with wins over then-ranked #13 Tennessee and Saint Joseph's before narrowly falling to Hofstra this past weekend.

Since returning home in early December, the Orange have held opponents to just 64.3 points per game on 70-of-167 (.419) shooting. Syracuse has been stingy down low as well, racking up 24 blocks over the past three games, with senior William Kyle III owning 14 of those rejections.

The Orange face three more non-conference opponents before opening ACC play against Clemson on New Year's Eve.

Spreading the Love
Syracuse has operated without sophomore Donnie Freeman for the past six contests, and in his absence, the offensive load has been distributed across the roster. Over those six games, four different players have taken turns leading the Orange in scoring.

Senior Nate Kingz has increased his offensive production the last three games, averaging 15.0 points per game. The senior has connected on 9-of-20 (.450) from 3-point range during that span.

Since returning from an injury that cost him the first three games, senior J.J. Starling has been on a roll, posting seven consecutive double-digit scoring performances. Most recently, he led Syracuse with 15 points against Hofstra.

A pair of freshmen have made significant contributions as well. Sadiq White Jr has earned the starting nod in each of the past six games, chipping in 7.3 points per contest, including a season-high 14 points to pace the offense against Iowa State. Kiyan Anthony leads all Syracuse scorers this season, tallying 108 points for an average of 10.8 per game. Anthony was 5-of-11 in the recent contest against Hofstra, scoring 12 points.

Off the bench, sophomore Tyler Betsey has provided a spark when his number is called. Betsey paced the Orange in scoring twice at the Players Era Championship and again in the outing against Saint Joseph's.

Scouting Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst is in its second season at the Division I level after finishing 15-16 overall and 9-7 in Northeast Conference play last season. The Lakers were picked to finish fourth in the NEC preseason coaches' poll this season.

Sitting at 4-7 thus far, the Lakers are averaging 65.6 points per game with their opponents scoring 66.6 on average.

Graduate guard Bernie Blunt III, a Preseason All-NEC selection, leads Mercyhurst this season, averaging 17.7 points per game through the first 11 games. He powered the Lakers to a win over Loyola Chicago earlier this season, posting a season-high 27 points. The 5-foot-11 guard previously played at Edinboro and Quinnipiac before joining the Lakers a year ago.

Sophomore guard Jake Lemelman provides additional scoring at 12.8 points per game. Lemelman is a threat from deep, having knocked down 17-of-42 (.405) shots from 3-point range this season. The sophomore put up a career-high 21 points against Marshall in late November.

Mercyhurst enters its second season at the Division I level under head coach Gary Manchel, who is in his 24th year with the program. Manchel is the winningest coach in Lakers history with a 388-235 record at Mercyhurst. He led the Lakers to seven NCAA Division II Tournament appearances during his tenure, including an Elite Eight run in 2019, and earned three PSAC Western Division Coach of the Year honors.

Series History
Wednesday's matchup serves as the first meeting between Syracuse and Mercyhurst.

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

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Players Mentioned

Kiyan Anthony

Tyler Betsey

Donnie Freeman

Nate Kingz

William Kyle III

J.J. Starling

Syracuse University Athletics