Orange Hold Off Northeastern at Home

Saturday, December 20

Syracuse, N.Y.

4:00 PM

Syracuse University

8-4,0-0ACC

Northeastern

4-6,0-0CAA

Northeastern

Syracuse

12/20/2025 7:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Adrian Autry Press Conference Naithan George Interview Photo Gallery

Naithan George scored a season-high 22 points and Syracuse (8-4) improved to 7-1 at home this season with a 91-83 victory against Northeastern (4-6) at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday.

George's 22 points were the most by a Syracuse player in a game this year. He was 12-of-14 from the free-throw line and topped the team in assists for the 10th time this winter with six.

The Orange scored a season-high 91 points and posted their fourth straight game with five double-digit scorers. Freshman Kiyan Anthony finished with 18 points, while seniors William Kyle III and Nate Kingz, and sophomore Tyler Betsey all added 14.

The Huskies were led by Ryan Williams, who scored 20 points.

How the Game Was Decided
The contested was ultimately decided at the free throw line, with Syracuse's last 12 points coming at the charity stripe. The Huskies pulled within five at 80-75 with two minutes showing on the clock. George was fouled on a shot attempt and hit both shots. Northeastern answered once more before George once again hit both free throws on the ensuing possession to keep the Huskies at arm's length.

Northeastern continued to chip away, but the Orange held firm at the free throw line. Syracuse finished 12-of-14 in the final 2:20, with George connecting on five, Betsey hitting four, Anthony adding two and Kingz converting one to fend off the comeback attempt and seal up the victory.

George's Three-Point Play Swings the First Half Momentum
After a slow start in which the Orange shot just 2-of-8 (.250) to start, Syracuse found itself trailing 14-9. Needing an answer, George knocked down a mid-range jumper and drew a foul before hitting his free throw to complete a three-point play and bring the Orange within two.

The play turned the momentum back in favor of the Orange, kicking off a decisive 20-4 run over the next six minutes. Syracuse was a perfect 6-of-6 (1.000) from the field and 7-of-7 from the free throw line to provide the Orange with a 29-18 advantage at the six minute mark.

Anthony led the way with six points over the stretch, finishing two layups and draining a pair of free throws. Betsey rattled home a 3-pointer and a turnaround jumper while Kyle III delivered a field goal in the paint and two free throw makes. George added two more free throws over the run as well.

The Huskies drew back within six, using a 7-2 spurt in under two minutes to close the gap to 31-25 near the four-minute mark of the opening half.

Syracuse built back onto its lead in the waning minutes of the opening half, heading into the break with a 41-31 lead. The Orange finished the first 20 minutes shooting 13-of-24 (.542) from the field and 13-of-14 (.929) from the charity stripe.

Blow-for-Blow in the Second Half
Owning a 50-43 lead at the 16-minute mark of the second half, the Orange used a 9-1 run over a two-minute stretch to take a 59-44 advantage.

Kingz got the surge started, swishing a 3-pointer in the corner before converting a layup through traffic on the ensuing possession. Kyle III added two points in the run, knocking down two free throws. Kingz capped off the run with a jumper to finish with seven of the nine points in the stretch.

The Orange and Huskies went back to trading baskets after the spurt, but a pair of threes from the Huskies cut the Syracuse lead back to single digits at 65-59.

Orange Fend Off Late Push
Coming out of the stoppage, the Orange proceeded to go on an 8-3 run to reestablish a double-digit lead.

Northeastern pulled within six points with under three minutes to go. The Huskies went on a 10-2 run, with Ryan Williams and Xander Alarie both connecting on a pair of 3-point shots to fuel the surge.

With the Huskies forced to foul, the Orange clinched the victory with its free-throw shooting in the final 2:20 of play.

Notes and Highlights

The Orange buried 34 free throws, the most in a game since they made 35 against Boston College in February of 2025.
The 91 points represented Syracuse's top offensive output of the campaign.
George was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the opening half, surpassing his previous single-game high in the first 20 minutes alone.
George extended his free throw streak to 18 consecutive makes, before missing his eighth attempt of the night.
Kyle III finished as the team's leading rebounder with eight, the eighth time he has paced the squad this season.
Syracuse led for the final 32:19 in the game.
The Orange drew 31 fouls against the Huskies.

Up Next
The Orange conclude their non-conference schedule on Monday evening when they take on the Stonehill Skyhawks at the JMA Wireless Dome. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. and air on ACC Network Extra.

Syracuse 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).