SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Donnie Freeman scored 18 points, Nate Kingz had 13 and the game‑winning layup with two seconds remaining, and Syracuse edged SMU 79–78 on Saturday.
Syracuse (15–11, 6–7 ACC) trailed 61-49 with just over 12 minutes left and spent most of the second half playing from behind. Kingz capped the comeback by driving the lane and finishing through traffic after Syracuse secured a defensive rebound and called a timeout with 13 seconds left.
Tyler Betsey’s 3-pointer with 3:50 remaining pulled Syracuse within 76-75, and Naithan George added a layup on the next possession. SMU (17–8, 6–6) missed two free throws and four straight field goals in the final 90 seconds, leaving the door open for Syracuse’s final possession.
Freeman blocked four shots for the Orange, while George added 16 points and six assists. Betsey and Kiyan Anthony each finished with 13 off the bench, with Anthony hitting three second‑half 3-pointers. Syracuse shot 45% from the field and made 11 3s.
Jaden Toombs led SMU with 19 points and five rebounds off the bench, and Corey Washington added 13 points and nine boards. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 12, and Boopie Miller had 11, as the two combined for five made 3-pointers. The Mustangs went 13 of 17 at the line but had two crucial misses in the closing minute.
SMU hosts No. 24 Louisville on Tuesday.
Syracuse faces No. 4 Duke on Thursday.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Sat, 2/28, 1-4 pm Congregational Church, San Mateo and Sun, 3/1, 10am-noon, First Presbyteri… Read moreHEAR NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION—AND DEMOCRACY—ADVOCATE REV. JIM ANTAL IN SAN MATEO AND PALO ALTO
“Powerful, moving, and exhilarating” Read moreSongs For A New World
Exclusive film screening in San Mateo Read moreA LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P.GIANNINI
Dirk van Ulden said:
LittleFoot said:
These children are awesome - and were raised correctly. They have paired the love in their heart with action and positivity.
Dirk van Ulden said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.