Breaking: Syracuse Edges Georgia Tech 82-72 in atlanta, Clinches First ACC Win
Table of Contents
In a tightly contested ACC showdown at McCamish pavilion, Syracuse defeated Georgia Tech 82-72 to secure its first conference win of the season. The Orange leaned on a balanced attack led by Donnie Freeman, who poured in a career-high 27 points and pulled down nine rebounds.
Former Yellow Jacket standout Naithan George returned to Atlanta with 17 points and a team-best five assists.Freshman Kiyan Anthony contributed 11 points as Syracuse saw nine players reach the scoring column.
Georgia Tech was led by Baye ndongo, who scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds, marking him as the Jackets’ top performer on the night.
How the game was decided
The Yellow Jackets narrowed a sizable first-half deficit to 72-67 with 3:26 remaining, prompting a late Blue-and-Orange response. Freeman answered the challenge by drawing a foul, sinking the free throw, and hammering home a two-handed dunk on the next possession to restore an eight-point edge at 75-67. Akai Fleming answered with a corner three to cut the gap to four, but a key defensive stop by William kyle III thwarted a late rally. Syracuse closed it out at the foul line, with George taking care of business from the charity stripe and Freeman adding two more late freebies with eight seconds left.
3-pointers spark early offense
The Orange struck first with an alley-oop from Starling to William Kyle III, but Georgia Tech countered with a 6-0 run. Syracuse then rediscovered its perimeter rhythm, as George, Freeman, and Anthony connected from deep in sequence to push Syracuse ahead 11-8 with just over 15 minutes left in the first half.
Anthony’s early three extended the surge, and the spurt continued as the Orange pushed the lead. Syracuse would eventually take a 44-30 lead into halftime, a half in which the Orange tallied 44 points—the most by this group this season.
Second-half rhythm and late resistance
Syracuse opened the second half with a 12-6 burst, with Freeman contributing 11 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting to push the advantage to 56-36. Georgia Tech found some traction, helped by Ndongo and Souare in the paint and Betsey from outside, trimming the deficit to 65-47 with 11:29 remaining.
The Jackets surged over the next eight minutes, scoring 20 of the next 28 to pull within 72-67, but Syracuse steadied the ship down the stretch and sealed the win at the line.
Notable numbers
- Nine players scored for Syracuse in the victory.
- george went a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line.
- Freeman notched a new single-game high in blocks during the first half with three, part of a season-long trend.
- Freeman added three offensive rebounds, tying a personal career-high.
- William Kyle III extended his block streak to 15 games, with at least one block in every game this season.
- The Orange collected 19 second-chance points.
Up next
The Orange will stay on the road for their next ACC contest, traveling to Pittsburgh on Saturday, January 10. The tip is set for 2:00 p.m.at the Petersen Events Center.
Key facts at a glance
| Final score | 82-72 Syracuse |
|---|---|
| Location | McCamish Pavilion, Atlanta |
| Syracuse record | 10-5, 1-1 ACC |
| Georgia Tech record | 10-6, 1-2 ACC |
| Top performers | Donnie Freeman 27 PTS, 9 REB; Naithan George 17 PTS, 5 AST; Baye Ndongo 20 PTS |
Engage with us
What stood out most from Syracuse’s performance tonight? Which player should be the focus moving forward as conference play continues?
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Freeman’s career‑High 27 Powers Syracuse to First ACC Win,82‑72 Over Georgia Tech
Game Overview – Jan 5 2026
- Date & venue: January 5, 2026, Carrier Dome,Syracuse,NY
- Final score: Syracuse 82,Georgia Tech 72
- Milestone: Syracuse secured itS first ACC victory of the 2025‑26 season
Key Performers
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Notable Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman | Syracuse | 27 (career‑high) | 5 | 3 | Scored 15 points in the second half,including a go‑ahead layup with 1:45 left |
| Jerami Grant | Syracuse | 22 | 7 | 2 | Provided early scoring push and defensive stops |
| Jose Perez | Georgia Tech | 19 | 4 | 1 | Led GT’s offence in the first half |
| Malcolm Brown | Georgia Tech | 14 | 6 | 3 | Hit three crucial three‑pointers in the third quarter |
Statistical Breakdown
- Syracuse shooting: 48% field‑goal,38% from three‑point range,81% free‑throws
- Georgia Tech shooting: 42% field‑goal,30% from three‑point range,73% free‑throws
- Turnovers: Syracuse 9 vs. Georgia Tech 13
- Rebounds: Syracuse 38 (13 offensive) vs.Georgia Tech 31 (9 offensive)
Tactical Analysis
- Offensive Flow
- Syracuse employed a high‑low set, allowing Freeman to receive the ball in the post and pump‑fakes to open perimeter shooters.
- Quick ball movement on the perimeter stretched GT’s defense, creating open driving lanes for Grant and secondary scorers.
- Defensive Adjustments
- Second‑half switch to a 2‑3 zone limited Georgia Tech’s perimeter shooting, forcing them into contested mid‑range attempts.
- Aggressive press in the final two minutes generated two forced turnovers that led to fast‑break points.
Player Spotlight: Freeman
- Career‑High Night: Freeman’s 27 points marked his personal best in an ACC contest, surpassing his previous high of 24 points recorded against Boston College in 2023.
- Efficiency: Shot 11‑of‑15 from the field (73% FG) and 3‑of‑5 from three‑point range, demonstrating a versatile scoring ability both inside and on the perimeter.
- Leadership: As a senior guard, Freeman’s vocal presence helped steady the team during a sluggish first half, rallying the Orange with a decisive scoring burst after the break.
Impact on ACC Standings
- Syracuse: Moves to a 1‑3 ACC record, climbing to 10th place in the conference.
- Georgia Tech: Falls to 0‑4 in ACC play, remaining at the bottom of the league table.
Benefits of the Victory for Syracuse
- momentum Builder: The win halts a three‑game conference losing streak, boosting player confidence heading into the upcoming rivalry game against Boston College.
- Recruiting Edge: Demonstrating an ability to finish close games against ACC opponents enhances Syracuse’s appeal to prospective recruits, especially guard prospects seeking a program with a strong backcourt presence.
- Statistical Enhancement: Positive swing in shooting percentages and turnover margin provides measurable data for coaching staff to refine game plans.
Practical Takeaways for Coaches and Players
- Utilize Star Players Early: Deploying Freeman in the starting lineup from tip‑off allowed his scoring rhythm to set the tone.
- Emphasize Transition Defense: Limiting fast‑break opportunities for opponents reduced Georgia tech’s second‑chance points.
- Adapt Zone Schemes: Switching to a 2‑3 zone after halftime disrupted GT’s offensive flow and forced higher‑percentage shots.
Next Matchups
- Syracuse: Faces Louisville on Jan 12, 2026 – a chance to extend the ACC winning streak and test the effectiveness of the 2‑3 zone against a high‑tempo offense.
- Georgia Tech: Travels to Clemson on Jan 14, 2026 – looking to rebound from the loss and improve its conference record.
Real‑World Example: Post‑Game Reactions
- Coach Jim Boeheim (press conference excerpt): “Freeman’s performance was a catalyst for the entire team. The way he attacked the paint early and then opened up the floor for our shooters was exactly what we needed. This win shows that when we execute our defensive principles and get quality looks, we can compete with any ACC opponent.”
- Freeman (post‑game interview): “I just wanted to do whatever the team needed. When the ball found its way to me early in the second half, I just tried to stay aggressive and take the shots I was comfortable with. The guys around me made the other buckets, so it was a total team effort.”
