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Basketball

SU Men’s Basketball can’t claw way back against Clemson

SU Men’s Hoops can’t claw way back vs. Clemson

Freeman’s return not enough as the Orange fall to Tigers 64-61 in ACC opener.

Published: January 1, 2026
Syracuse guard J.J. Starling weaves through Clemson defenders on his way to the hoop on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Photo by Matthew Crisafulli
Syracuse guard J.J. Starling weaves through Clemson defenders on his way to the hoop Wednesday at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Donnie Freeman returned from injury, but Syracuse couldn’t overcome a late surge as Clemson escaped the JMA Wireless Dome with a 64-61 victory Wednesday afternoon.

Freeman, playing his first game since mid-November, scored all 18 of his points in the final 12 minutes while grabbing nine rebounds. The sophomore forward nearly single-handedly erased Clemson’s nine-point lead in the final minutes, converting a layup with 43 seconds remaining to pull Syracuse within 63-61.

Clemson guard Jestin Porter tries to bounce the ball off of Syracuse guard Nate Kingz to keep possession on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Photo by Matthew Crisafulli
Clemson guard Jestin Porter tries to bounce the ball off SU guard Nate Kingz Wednesday at the JMA Wireless Dome.

After William Kyle III blocked a Clemson layup attempt, the Tigers’ Carter Welling missed the back end of two free throws with 14 seconds left, giving Syracuse one final chance.

But Freeman’s 3-pointer from the top of the key missed the mark, and Clemson (11-3, 1-0 ACC) secured the rebound to seal the win.

Syracuse guard Kiyan Anthony shoots a contested layup over Clemson guard Dillon Hunter on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Photo by Matthew Crisafulli
Syracuse guard Kiyan Anthony shoots a contested layup over Clemson guard Dillon Hunter at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Clemson forward RJ Godfrey boxes out Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Photo by Matthew Crisafulli
Clemson forward RJ Godfrey boxes out Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman on Wednesday.

Syracuse (9-5, 0-1 ACC) showed resilience throughout, erasing an early 12-3 deficit and rallying from a 10-point second-half hole. The Orange’s bench outscored Clemson’s 36-18, and Syracuse limited the Tigers to a season-low 64 points while holding them to 4-of-16 from beyond the arc.

Kyle III extended his blocked-shots streak to seven games, and the Orange shot a season-best 83.3% from the free-throw line.

The Orange travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech next on Tuesday with a 7 p.m. tip-off.