Syracuse Falls to SMU in Last-Minute Heartbreaker

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse basketball fell to the Southern Methodist Mustangs 77-75 on Tuesday night in Dallas, marking another disappointing outcome for the Orange after leading for a significant portion of the game.

The game was played at Moody Coliseum and aired at 9 p.m. Syracuse controlled the score for over 35 minutes but could not secure the victory when it mattered most. With the score tied, Mustang Keon Ambrose-Hylton tipped in a missed shot with seconds remaining, sealing the game for SMU.

Syracuse struggled defensively in critical moments, as SMU came back strong at the end. The Orange had six players scoring in double digits, led by Lucas Taylor, who scored 13 points. Overall, the Mustangs had six players reach at least ten points, with Kario Oquendo leading the team at 16 points.

The loss extended a troubling trend for Syracuse, which has now lost its last three games after leading at halftime. Coach Jim Boeheim expressed frustration with his team’s inability to finish strong, saying, “We can’t allow teams to come back like this when we have a comfortable lead.”

Despite an impressive shooting performance from behind the arc, where Syracuse hit over 50% in the first half, they reverted to isolation plays late in the game. This hurt their overall offensive flow and predictability, allowing SMU to make key stops and capitalize on fast breaks.

Syracuse started the game strong, leading by eight points at halftime but was unable to maintain that momentum. Players like Jyare Davis and Eddie Lampkin provided solid performances, with Davis scoring 21 points in a previous outing against Virginia Tech. However, in this game, the Orange were unable to replicate that intensity down the stretch.

With the victory, SMU improved to 21-8 and is looking forward to the ACC Tournament next week. Meanwhile, Syracuse (12-17, 6-12 ACC) is now seeking answers as they prepare for their last two games of the regular season. The Orange have been known for their resilience, but they must now regroup and focus on closing out games effectively.

The next challenge for Syracuse comes against North Carolina State on Wednesday evening, with significant implications as both teams are jockeying for positioning in the upcoming ACC Tournament.