Donnie Freeman scored 20 points as host Syracuse began coach Adrian Autry’s third season with an 85-48 rout of visiting Binghamton on Monday night in the season opener for both teams.
One of two returning starters from last season’s 14-19 team that missed the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight season, Freeman made seven of 10 shots from the field and pulled down six rebounds.
Syracuse’s other returning starter from last season, J.J. Starling, hobbled off the floor with 17:16 remaining in the first half. The school later said Starling had a lower-body injury.
Kiyan Anthony replaced Starling and scored 15 points in his debut 23 years after his father Carmelo Anthony debuted and led the program to its lone national championship. Starling missed both of his shots before getting injured.
William Kyle III added 16 and Naithan George contributed 14 as Syracuse shot 68.8% in the second half and 53% overall. The Orange scored 54 points in the paint to counter a 4-of-21 showing from 3-point range.
Demetrius Lilley collected 17 and 13 rebounds in his debut for Binghamton after transferring from LaSalle. Zyier Beverly added 11 but Wes Peterson Jr., the lone returning starter from last year’s team, was held to two points.
Binghamton began coach Levell Sanders’ fifth season by shooting 33.3%. Binghamton also missed 12 of 13 from beyond the arc and committed 21 turnovers, resulting in 24 points for Syracuse.
The Orange scored the first 10 points and ripped off a 14-2 run that spanned over seven minutes for a 24-6 lead on two free throws by Freeman with 5:40 left. Syracuse finally hit its first 3-pointer when Betsey scored with 2:51 left for a 28-14 lead and held a 32-14 lead by halftime despite shooting 38.2% percent.
Syracuse made its first eight shots of the second half as Anthony converted a layup, a jumper and a dunk for a 49-22 lead with 15:09 remaining.
–Field Level Media
