Syracuse pulls away from pesky Bucknell to snap losing streak

Eddie Lampkin and Donnie Freeman both turned in double-double performances as Syracuse snapped a two-game losing streak with a 75-63 win over Bucknell Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.

Lampkin scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Freeman finished with 15 points and 11 boards as the Orange (6-6) improved to 11-1 all-time against the Bison (4-9).

Jaquan Carlos chipped in 11 for Syracuse.

Josh Bascoe was impressive in defeat, knocking down six 3-pointers and scoring 22 in all. Noah Williamson added 12 for the Bison, who dropped their seventh in a row but didn't go away quietly.

Trailing 43-31 at the half, the Bison pulled within 48-43 after a dunk by Pip Ajayi with 14:13 left.

That was as close as Bucknell would get, however, as it fell short in its bid for its first win over a power conference team since beating Vanderbilt 75-72 victory during the 2016-17 campaign.

In the final nonleague game for both teams, Syracuse shook off a slow start with a 9-0 run ignited by a Lucas Taylor 3-pointer and capped with a layup by Freeman that put the Orange up 12-6 with 14:30 to go.

The Orange led 17-12 with 11:23 to go after a 3-pointer by Elijah Moore, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Jayden Williams and Bascoe put the Bison on top 21-19 with 8:04 remaining.

With Bucknell up 26-22, momentum shifted in Syracuse's favor on the strength of a 16-2 run, highlighted by Freeman's 3-pointer that gave the Orange their first double-digit lead at 38-28 with 1:49 to play in the half.

Freeman hit another shot from distance with seven seconds left, shooting over a defender from well beyond the line and extending the lead to 43-31.

He high-fived teammates as he came off the court. His bucket was one of six 3-pointers Syracuse connected on in the opening half while shooting 57.6 percent (17-of-30) from the field.

The Orange outscored the Bison 18-3 over the final 5:39, limiting Bucknell to only one field goal.

--Field Level Media