Starling and Lampkin shine in double-overtime marathon

It was a wild double overtime game at the JMA Wireless Dome Saturday afternoon, as the Youngstown State Penguins took the Orange into double overtime, ultimately losing 104-95. The Orange first-half slow starts on both ends continue to be a pivotal problem after another frustrating grind-out win to start the season but now improved to 3-0. 

This week has been fantastic for the fanbase as Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan Anthony, committed to the Orange yesterday. 

The first half showed good and bad signs for the Orange this game. The shooting struggles continued as the penguins held Syracuse to 7% from behind the arc and 35% from the field. 

A positive sign for the Cuse men was showing they could take care of the ball, only totaling one turnover the whole half.

Youngstown shot 50% from the field in the half and led both teams in time lead by 20-plus minutes this game. The pressure was now on the Orange, going into halftime down 38-31 and seemingly struggling in scoring in their half-court offense for the majority of the game. 

The second half showed what could be a potential top-five team in the ACC, led by a career night from star guard J.J. Starling and a strong double-double performance from transfer Eddie Lampkin and five-star freshman Donnie Freeman. 

After struggling in his first two games and just seven points in the first half, Starling took over the game, scoring 21 points on an efficient 7-9 from the field. He set a new career-high with 38 points, playing all but 53 seconds in this entire game. 

JJ to Donnie running the floor!

📺 ACCNX pic.twitter.com/ctwN6SzzdR

— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) November 16, 2024

A strong defensive possession in the final seconds by SU would force the Penguins’ sixth turnover of the half, giving Syracuse fans their first overtime basketball action of the season. 

“Our biggest thing was digging in our defense, we knew our offense was gonna handle itself,” Starling said. “It just came down to getting stops, and they hit some tough shots, but we just knew we had to work on defense.” 

In overtime, Lampkin sparked the offense by scoring seven points, along with two rebounds and an assist. Lampkin finished the game with 20 points, seven assists, and 13 rebounds, turning the ball over only once. 

“Just being able to know that we could fight for 40 and then two halves is great for the team,” Lampkin said. “It doesn’t matter how you win; it’s a win.”

Starling and Lampkin combined for 17 of SU’s 31 points in the Overtime period. 

Head coach Adrian Autry was pleased with the composure of his players post-game and the resilience they showed down the stretch. He expressed how proud he was of his star point guard. 

“That’s the J.J. Starling that we know, he’s the guy, he’s an important force, he’s big time,” Autry said. “That’s why he’s here; he’s the guy that we are leaning on.” 

Autry loved how his two freshmen, Eligh Moore and Freeman, played today, emphasizing their fearless ability to play in tight games at this level. 

“Donnie, he’s as talented as any freshman that we got in a while, and he’s going to continue to get better. I thought Elijah came in, and he’s never scared. We called him in at the end, and he jumps right in and makes a big free throw at the end,” Autry said. 

Looking ahead, Autry wants his team’s shooting and defense to improve as they get deeper into a tough schedule. The Orange will battle against the Texas Longhorns in their next game at the Barclays Center on Nov. 21.