The Syracuse Orange came into their first-ever ACC/SEC Challenge with a 4-2 record, starting the season 3-0 with victories over New Hampshire Wildcats, Canisius Griffins, and Colgate Raiders all at home, followed by two-straight losses in the Maui Invitational against the Tennessee Volunteers and Gonzaga Bulldogs in Hawai'i and a win on the island over the Chaminade Silverswords (NCAA Division II program).
LSU also came into the JMA Wireless Dome at 4-2 overall, with the Tigers defeating Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils and then losing to Nicholls Colonels in their first two home games of the 2023-24 season, followed by the Charleston Classic played on neutral court in Charleston, South Carolina, where they fell to the Dayton Flyers before defeating the North Texas Mean Green and Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and, most recently, a victory at home over the North Florida Ospreys.
The Orange would take the lead early on and hold on until the 9:56 mark when senior guard Trae Hannibal went 1-for-2 from the charity stripe to put the Tigers ahead 17-16.
Sophomore forward Chris Bell tied the game at 19 with his first three-pointer of the night.
Syracuse sophomore guard J.J. Starling knocked down both of his free throws combined with sophomore point guard Judah Mintz going 2-for-2 at the line to regain the lead, 23-21, with 5:51 remaining in the first half.
The Orange would hold onto the lead for the remainder of the first half, heading into the break up 33-28.
Syracuse shot 8-for-29 in the first 20 minutes of play, going 3-for-8 from deep, while LSU went 12-for-35, including 1-for-12 from long range.
Mintz had 17 points in the opening half.
The Orange led the entire second half, going ahead by as many as 26 points when they went up 79-53 off of a three by junior forward Benny Williams.
They would end the contest atop the Tigers 80-57.
Mintz scored 33 points in 37 minutes, going 9-for-16 from the field, including 2-for-2 at the line and 13-for-15 at the charity stripe. He would add five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three turnovers.
Bell had 20 points in 38 minutes, going 7-for-15 from the field, including a stellar 6-for-10 from three-point range.
Senior guard Jordan Wright had 15 points and sophomore forward Jalen Reed had 14 points lead the way for the Tigers.
Syracuse is now 5-2, including 4-0 at home, while LSU moves to 4-3, losing their first true road game of the season.
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