In an exciting college basketball matchup, the Syracuse Orange managed to stop their three-game losing streak with an impressive 75-66 victory over the California Golden Bears on Saturday night. The game, held in Berkeley, California, was marked by outstanding performances from Lucas Taylor and J.J. Starling, who scored 19 and 18 points, respectively, propelling Syracuse to their win.
Syracuse's journey to victory was spearheaded by their convincing first-half gameplay. They took an early lead with a 9-0 run instigated by two consecutive layups from Starling, a jump shot by Taylor, and a three-pointer by Elijah Moore. Their relentless pressure allowed them to establish and maintain an advantageous score, leaving the Golden Bears unable to claim the lead at any point during the game.
The Orange extended their lead significantly with a strategic 10-1 run, capped by Chris Bell, who not only sunk a mid-range shot but also a pivotal three-pointer, giving Syracuse a 13-point cushion with nine minutes remaining before halftime. By the break, Syracuse led 40-23, largely due to Cal's shooting struggles in the first half, where they could only convert 17% of their field shots and a disappointing 14% from beyond the arc.
The second half saw Cal attempting to claw back into the game with two 11-0 scoring runs. However, each time they got close, Syracuse's defense clamped down, and the offensive prowess of players like Starling and Taylor shone through. Highlighting Cal's struggles was a lackluster shooting performance characterized by extended periods without successful field goals, notably stretches lasting over five minutes.
Despite a valiant effort from Cal's Jeremiah Wilkinson and Jovan Blacksher Jr., who both put up 20 points, and Rytis Petraitis contributing 13 points along with eight rebounds, Cal's efforts fell short. The Golden Bears' setbacks were compounded by the absence of their leading scorer, Andrej Stojakovic, who sat out his fourth consecutive game.
The night ended with Syracuse preparing to return home for an anticipated clash against the formidable No. 2 ranked Duke, scheduled for the following Wednesday. Meanwhile, Cal will aim to regroup as they host N.C. State.
This victory not only boosts the morale of the Syracuse team but also offers valuable momentum as they head into more challenging matches in the future. Fans can expect an exciting continuation of the college basketball season as teams rally and vie for top rankings.