Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse basketball team takes on the Hofstra Pride at 4 p.m., Saturday in the JMA Wireless Dome.
The game will air on ACC Network.
See in-game team and individual stats here.
Listen to our postgame show on “Syracuse Sports,” hosted by Brent Axe, on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Note: Refresh this page throughout Syracuse’s game vs. Hofstra to see the latest updates
Starling starts hot
SCORE UPDATE: Syracuse 17, Hofstra 14 with 11:51 remaining first half
JJ Starling scored 12 of the first 15 points for the Orange. He’s hit two 3s before using a pump fake to get his defender in the air and attacking the basket.
Later, Starling worked off a high-ball screen by Akir Souare and lofted a high floater off the glass for another bucket.
He’s feeling it early.
Syracuse’s rebounding woes persist.
The Pride grabbed three offensive rebounds by the first media timeout, giving it second looks at the basket that it’s converted into five points.
Preston Edmead hit a 3 off a second-chance opportunity before he worked off a high ball-screen and hit another 3.
Cruz Davis used his feet to create space and get a paint shot off over the outstretched arm of William Kyle.
Pregame
Syracuse is back in action two days after a tightly contested, 71-63 victory against Saint Joseph’s.
The Orange grinded out the win with some players feeling less than 100% and playing without sophomore forward Donnie Freeman for the fifth-straight game.
Freeman is out again due to an undisclosed injury. He has not played since the team’s 78-73 win against Monmouth on Nov. 18.
The Orange really needs his defensive rebounding prowess, and his ability to play inside-out distinguishes him from the other players on the roster. Sadiq White has shown, at times, the ability to step out a hit a 3. But he’s a mutt in the paint area who will fight for his scraps. He was among those who had an off night Thursday against the Hawks.
Hofstra brings good guard play into the dome, highlighted by junior Cruz Davis and freshman Preston Edmead. Davis averages 20.6 points per game and has scored in double-figures in all 11 games, including a 36-point outing in a win at Pittsburgh.
Syracuse has gotten inconsistent play from its guards, particularly at the free throw line and at times being a bit too careless with the ball. So far, it hasn’t proven too costly, but SU needs more out of Georgia Tech transfer Naithan George and freshman Kiyan Anthony if they are going to command big minutes.
