Syracuse, N.Y. ― The Syracuse Orange chased, harassed and defended its way to a convincing 85-47 win over Binghamton in the regular season opener at the JMA Wireless Dome on Monday night.
While five Syracuse players reached double-figures in points, this was a night for the Orange’s defense.
Binghamton managed just 47 points on 15-for-45 (33%) field goal shooting. The Bearcats made just one of their 13 attempts from 3-point range.
Syracuse forced Binghamton into 22 turnovers and blocked five Binghamton shots.
Syracuse’s active defense was a marked contrast to last year’s Orange and a huge upgrade over the Orange’s lackluster effort in last Wednesday’s exhibition game against Division II Pace.
Binghamton’s 47 points were less than the season low for any Syracuse opponent last season. Georgia Tech scored 55 in a loss to Syracuse last season.
Syracuse (1-0) will play its next game on Saturday when the Orange hosts Delaware State at the JMA Dome.
Syracuse Orange Basketball 2025-26: Syracuse vs. Binghamton
In Monday’s win, sophomore forward Donnie Freeman led the Orange with 20 points and six rebounds. William Kyle, the 6-9 transfer from UCLA, scored 16 points. Seven of his eight baskets were on dunks.
Naithan George, a transfer from Georgia Tech, finished with 14 points and a team-high 8 assists. Tyler Betsey contributed 10 points off the bench.
Kiyan Anthony, the son of SU legend Carmelo, scored 15 points in his college debut.
Despite Syracuse’s dominance, there was some concern as Orange guard JJ Starling limped to the sidelines less than three minutes into the game.
Starling, SU’s leading scorer last year at 17.8 points per game, grimaced as Syracuse’s medical staff tended to him. He then got up and hobbled his way down the tunnel and into the team’s locker room.
Starling returned to the SU bench a few minutes later with a wrap around his thigh, indicating a possible hamstring injury, and a towel over his head.
SU officials said Starling had suffered a “lower-body injury” and was unlikely to return to the game. He never did.
The Orange took a 32-14 into the halftime break. The lead was built on SU’s defense as the Orange struggled to find any shooting rhythm. Syracuse made only 38% of its shots and went 1-for-12 on 3-pointers in the opening half.
Binghamton’s 14 points were the fewest in the first half of a game since SU held Boston College to 13 on Jan. 15, 2020.
But Syracuse’s defense clamped down on Binghamton in the first half of the game. The Orange limited the Bearcats to just five field goals on 20 attempts. Syracuse also forced Binghamton into 15, yes 15, turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
