In their ACC home opener, the Syracuse Orange faced a tough challenge against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, ultimately losing by a score of 81-71. The game was marred by turnovers and poor shooting from beyond the arc, which significantly impacted Syracuse's performance. Despite early struggles, the Orange bench provided some momentum, but Wake Forest capitalized on key moments to secure the victory.

Turnovers and Shooting Woes Plague Syracuse

The Syracuse Orange struggled with ball control and shooting accuracy throughout the game. Eighteen turnovers and a dismal 5-for-22 performance from three-point range hindered their efforts. In the second half, Wake Forest demonstrated superior shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, where they shot 6-for-12 compared to Syracuse’s 1-for-10. These factors were crucial in determining the outcome of the match.

Wake Forest quickly established a commanding lead, scoring 17 points to Syracuse’s 2 in the opening minutes. The Orange relied heavily on midrange jump shots while committing costly turnovers. Head coach Autry made several substitutions early in the game, bringing in players like Kyle Cuffe, Jyare Davis, and Lucas Taylor, who injected more defensive effort and helped narrow the gap to 23-18 by halftime. Cuffe’s strong play, including 13 points and a career-high 8-for-9 from the free-throw line, kept Syracuse competitive despite the team’s overall struggles. However, turnovers continued to plague the Orange, totaling 13 by halftime, and careless passing further compounded their issues.

Bench Contributions and Late Game Efforts

The Syracuse bench played a pivotal role in keeping the game close, contributing 25 of the team’s 34 first-half points. Early foul trouble for Carlos forced Cuffe into a point guard role, where he excelled. After tying the game at 38 with two free throws, Carlos found Donnie Freeman inside for the Orange’s first lead. Despite brief moments of success, Wake Forest maintained its composure, hitting critical three-pointers to regain control.

Late in the game, Syracuse showed flashes of intensity on defense, cutting the deficit to 68-65 with just over three minutes remaining. However, Wake Forest responded with clutch shooting and solid free-throw performance to seal the victory. Leading scorers for Syracuse included Lucas Taylor and Carlos with 16 points each, while Cuffe added 14 points. Eddie Lampkin contributed 8 points and 10 rebounds. On the other side, Hunter Sallis led Wake Forest with 21 points, and Juke Harris’s timely three-pointers were instrumental in maintaining their lead. The Orange will look to bounce back as they prepare for their next matchup against Florida State.