Kingz hits last second shot to topple SMU 79-78

With just over 10 seconds left in the game, Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry called a timeout. SMU led the Orange 78-77. With the whole game riding on one play call, Autry had a clear game plan.

“We went with Nate Kingz; he’s been playing at a high level right now,” Autry said. “If we went downhill, I knew we would get a shot off… Just the way we drew it up.” 

Syracuse guard Nate Kingz drove down the left alley and finished off the glass with just seconds remaining. The eventual game winner was Kingz’ 13th point of the afternoon. 

“It doesn’t matter if my defender is short, tall, big, or small,” Kingz said. “I feel confident getting a bucket on anyone.”

Kingz finished with double digits in four of his last five games. But it isn’t the flashy scoring that sticks out to Autry — it’s his mentality.

While the Kingz game winner was the clear headliner in Saturday’s Valentine’s Day thriller, SU freshman guard Kiyan Anthony was just as pivotal. The freshman finished with 13 points. It is only the second time Anthony finished with 13 or more points in ACC play. Furthermore, Anthony played down the stretch over senior guard JJ Starling. That decision for Coach Red went beyond the statistics.

“Kiyan had a really good rhythm today, and he was engaged … I went with him,” Autry said. “That was just my gut.”

Starling finished with just four points in 18 minutes of action, both season lows. Still, Autry found the positives for his captain.

“He’s the leader of his team,” Autry said. “And he’s shown so much leadership and so much growth. This is just another example of that.”

Cardiac Cuse is slowly sneaking back into the Orange’s lexicon. A double overtime win over Cal on Wednesday and a one-point win on Saturday highlighted an eventful week for the Orange. But the reality of sports is that the next game is always the most important. That could not be truer than this Monday against No. 4 Duke. Autry is well aware of the upcoming challenges. 

“It’s Duke… Boozer, amongst the other guys they have, this will be a challenge like anyone else,” Autry said. “We’ll put together a game plan, go out there and execute it.”

Despite Syracuse’s 10-game losing streak against Duke, the Orange is entering Monday’s matchup with momentum and determination. The team’s recent gutsy wins show their growing resilience. As Autry emphasized, every game matters. Facing the No. 4 Blue Devils at 7 p.m. on the road is a chance for Syracuse to rewrite their story.