Syracuse prevents collapse, wins on ‘Boeheim Day’

Feb 24, 2024, 03:34 PM ET SYRACUSE, N.Y.– Judah Mintz scored 21 points as Syracuse pulled out an 88-85 win over Notre Dame on Saturday after nearly quiting a 29-point lead on “Jim Boeheim Day.”

Over 25,000 fans plus buddies, household and former players came out to honor Boeheim, who took in his 2nd game on the Orange’s home court considering that retiring last season. He was honored postgame event. He led the Syracuse program for 47 years– all but one a winning season– and into 35 NCAA tournaments, including a national championship in 2003.

It appeared like it would be a gamelong celebration after Syracuse (18-10, 9-8 ACC) rolled to a 29-point lead late in the first half only to see Notre Dame (10-17, 5-11) rally behind freshmen Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry, who combined for 38 second-half points. Shrewsberry’s 6th 3-pointer with two minutes staying followed by another 3 from Julian Roper II a minute later got the Combating Irish to 86-83.

With 25 seconds left, Shrewsberry was short on a 3-point try, and Syracuse’s Chris Bell made two free throws with 17.3 seconds left. Burton drove for a quick layup, and after a missed out on Syracuse free throw, Burton couldn’t link on a long 3-point attempt.

Jim Boeheim was honored while participating in just his second Syracuse home game since retiring after the 2022-23 season. Mark Konezny/USA Today Sports

Bell had 18 points, including four 3-pointers, Maliq Brown and Notre Dame transfer JJ Starling scored 14 points each and Justin Taylor had 10 for the Orange, who shot 53.1%.

Burton was 10-of-20 shooting with 28 points and eight assists for Notre Dame. All 18 of Shrewsberry’s points began his 6 second-half 3-pointers. Tae Davis included 12 points. Notre Dame shot 61.5% and was 12-of-21 from behind the arc with five more 3s than the Orange. But Syracuse scored 31 points off 17 turnovers.Notre Dame scored

the game’s very first five points before Syracuse went on 24-4 and 17-2 runs. The Irish scored the last nine points of the very first half to trail 49-29 and kept the momentum in the second half only to see a three-game winning streak snapped.Notre Dame hosts Wake Forest on Tuesday. Syracuse stays at home to play Virginia Tech on Tuesday.