Syracuse survives Florida State’s late push in ACC tournament opener

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The first day of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament featured intense matchups, with the first game ending on a controversial foul call and the second requiring double overtime. The nightcap featured Syracuse against Florida State in legendary head coach Leonard Hamilton’s final season at the helm.

After building a double-digit lead in the second half, the Seminoles mounted a comeback, setting up a thrilling finish. Despite struggling at the free-throw line, the Orange converted their final four attempts, securing a narrow 66-62 victory behind J.J. Starling’s clutch baskets in the closing minutes.

“I hope they don’t look over and see me because I am agonizing,” second-year head coach Adrian Autry said regarding free throw line struggles this game.

Ahead of Syracuse’s tournament opener, Autry addressed the media regarding the team’s season. With key departures, including Malik Brown (Duke) and Judah Mintz (NBA G League), Autry emphasized the importance of incoming transfers like Eddie Lampkin.

Autry talked about giving meaningful minutes to players off the bench this season because he believes the roster is more profound than last season.

Due to injuries throughout the season, those bench players saw extended roles. Against FSU, Autry started Lucas Taylor, Jaquan Carlos, and Jyare Davis alongside Starling and Lampkin.

The game began with both teams missing their first shots before Starling drove and kicked out to Carlos, who drained a corner three for SU’s first points. The Orange started 4-for-5 from the field and led by two at the first media timeout.

Back-to-back baskets from Lampkin extended Syracuse’s lead to 15-8. The referees reviewed a potential technical foul on FSU but determined no violation.

Syracuse shot 70% through the first eight minutes, while FSU struggled with turnovers. However, scoring droughts plagued both teams, with each making just one of their last eight attempts in a four-minute stretch. Even so, Syracuse maintained a nine-point lead before a Starling layup ended the slump. The Orange also missed seven shots in the paint during the half.

After a media timeout, FSU went on a 7-0 run over two minutes, cutting the lead to one. A corner three by Jerry Deng tied the game at 23 with five minutes left in the half. FSU made four of its last five shots during this stretch.

As halftime neared, Starling drove left and drew a foul with 1.9 seconds remaining, hitting one of two free throws to give Syracuse a 30-26 lead at the break. Both teams shot below 40% in the half, with FSU leading 11-0 in bench points.

Starling opened the second-half scoring, and Davis converted an and-one opportunity off an offensive rebound. SU extended its lead to eight following a Starling step-back jumper and layup. Starling, who played all 20 minutes of the second half, scored 19 points after halftime, finishing with 27 overall.

“We knew, for me, if I had to go away, it was going back to J.J.,” Autry said postgame. “I thought he did a phenomenal job getting in the lane, finishing, and putting pressure on the rim.”

Syracuse’s Naheem McLeod scored his first points on a dunk assisted by Carlos during a 10-0 SU run. However, the Seminoles responded with stifling defense, forcing a six-minute scoring drought for the Orange and cutting the deficit to seven.

Starling ended the slump with an up-and-under layup. He then stole the ball and converted consecutive baskets, pushing the lead back to 10.

Syracuse struggled at the free-throw line, going 12-for-22. With under a minute left, Jamir Watkins drew a foul on Taylor, who fouled out on the next possession. Watkins made one of two free throws, and Starling responded with another driving layup to put SU up 62-56.

Taylor then fouled Watkins on a three-point attempt, allowing him to sink all three free throws. On the next possession, Starling ran down the clock before missing a fadeaway jumper, but Lampkin’s hustle forced an FSU turnover with 19.4 seconds left.

Carlos struggled to inbound the ball before finding Davis in the corner. However, Davis was immediately trapped and turned it over, leading to an FSU layup that trimmed the lead to 62-61 with 9.5 seconds remaining.

Kyle Cuffe Jr. drained two crucial free throws to extend the lead to 64-61.

“Those were probably the biggest free throws of my life, just being honest,” Cuffe said. “It felt good that coach trusted me in that moment.”

FSU rushed down the court but was fouled. Daquan Davis made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, but Syracuse secured the rebound. Davis was fouled again and made both free throws, sealing the victory.

A last-second full-court attempt by FSU missed wide left, clinching Syracuse’s first-round win.

Next, Syracuse will face No. 6 seed Southern Methodist University at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Orange will look to avenge last week’s loss to SMU after squandering a double-digit lead.