Clemson Defeats Orange

Saturday, February 10

Syracuse, N.Y.

12 PM

Syracuse University

15-9,6-7ACC

Clemson

16-7,6-6ACC

Clemson

Syracuse

2/10/2024 2:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Adrian Autry Press Conference JJ Starling Interview Chris Bell Interview Photo Gallery

Syracuse (15-9, 6-7 ACC) battled all the way back from a 15-point deficit but the rally ultimately fell short in a 76-68 loss to Clemson (16-7, 6-6), on Saturday afternoon in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Four Orange performers scored in double-figures, led by 16 each from sophomore forward Chris Bell and sophomore guard J.J> Starling. Clemson was led by former Syracuse standout Joe Girard who had 18 points in his return to the Dome with the Tigers.

Starling scored all 16 of his points in the second half. Starling's backcourt partner, sophomore Judah Mintz, contributed 14 points, five assists and two rebounds. Sophomore swingman Quadir Copeland logged 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Clemson senior center PJ Hall tallied a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

WHEN THE GAME WAS DECIDED
Starling's contested jumper tied the game at 60-60 with 3:37 left. The Orange had trailed by 15 in the first half and as many as 11 in the second half. The Tigers responded to Starling's basket with seven straight points and maintained at least a five-point advantage the rest of the game..

ORANGE SECOND HALF COMEBACK EFFORT
The Orange opened the second half with eight consecutive points and cut their deficit to five, 37-32. J.J. Starling had five points and Bell drained a 3-pointer during the comeback. Syracuse chipped away at the Clemson lead, coming within three with 10:59 to go and then two with 7:26 remaining. Once the game was knotted at 60-60, the Tigers took back the lead and did not lose it.

CLEMSON CONVERTS FIRST HALF SHOTS
The Tigers converted nine-of-15 (.600) shot attempts in the first 10 minutes and finished the first half 17-of-30 (.567) from the field. The Orange were held to just 10-of-34 (.294) from the field in the first frame.

Maliq Brown swiped the ball from Ian Schieffelin and drove it for a slam dunk to score the first points of the game. The matchup was tight in the early going before the Tigers surged. The visitors led by one with 11:50 left in the first half and then produced 14 unanswered points to go ahead, 27-12. The Orange went without a bucket for a 6:17 span during the stretch. Clemson held onto a double-digit lead for the remainder of the half and the squads went into the intermission with a 37-24 advantage for the Tigers.

ATTACKING THE GLASS
The Orange were beat at the rim in the first half, grabbing just 11 boards to the Tigers' 27. Clemson produced 28 points in the paint in the opening 20 minutes and concluded with 48. Syracuse adjusted in the second half, snagging 13 rebounds and holding the visitors to 14.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Mintz scored in double digits for the 22nd time in 24 outings.
The Orange defense forced Clemson into a season-high 21 turnovers.
Syracuse scored 15 points off the Tiger miscues.
Brown and sophomore forward Justin Taylor each had four steals out of Syracuse's 14. Taylor's performance was reprsented career-high.
The Orange have swiped 10-or-more steals in 11-of-24 games this season.
Sophomore center Peter Carey was inactive for today's contest due to injury.

UP NEXT
Syracuse will finish a three-game homestand against #3 North Carolina in the JMA Wireless Dome on Tuesday, February 13. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN.

TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).

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