Amber Aniston • December 9, 2024

Notre Dame Edges Syracuse 69-64 in ACC Opener

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured a hard-fought 69-64 victory over Syracuse in the ACC opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend. Braeden Shrewsberry delivered a career-high performance, tying his personal best with 25 points, including six three-pointers, to lead Notre Dame to their first conference-opening win since the 2017-18 season.


The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Notre Dame, improving their record to 5-5 overall and 1-0 in ACC play. Syracuse fell to 4-4 overall and 0-1 in the conference after a back-and-forth second half featuring eight lead changes.


Shrewsberry’s Clutch Performance

Shrewsberry was the driving force behind Notre Dame’s offense, scoring 15 points in the second half alone. His shooting from beyond the arc proved decisive, as he knocked down critical threes at key moments. With the score tied at 60 late in the second half, Shrewsberry hit back-to-back three-pointers to give Notre Dame a lead they would not relinquish. His final three-pointer with just under three minutes remaining pushed the Irish ahead 67-62, sealing the victory.


J.R. Konieczny and Tae Davis provided crucial support for the Fighting Irish, each scoring 15 points. Konieczny was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 13 of his points during a stretch that helped Notre Dame build a 30-26 halftime lead. Davis contributed key baskets throughout the game despite battling foul trouble.


Syracuse’s Second-Half Push

The Orange fought valiantly, taking the lead multiple times in the second half behind strong performances from Donnie Freeman and Jyare Davis. Both players scored 20 points, with Freeman adding 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Their efforts helped Syracuse briefly take a 56-54 lead midway through the second half, but Notre Dame consistently responded with timely baskets.


Syracuse’s defense also showed flashes of brilliance, forcing Notre Dame into tough shots and limiting their interior scoring. However, the Orange struggled to find consistency on offense, particularly from long range, where they went 0-for-9, marking their first game without a made three-pointer since 2014.


Key Moments Define the Outcome

The second half was a tightly contested battle, with neither team holding a lead larger than three points until the closing minutes. Notre Dame capitalized on Syracuse’s missed opportunities, including a crucial missed free throw by Davis in the final minute. The Fighting Irish also dominated the perimeter, with Shrewsberry’s six three-pointers accounting for nearly half of their total points.


Notre Dame’s Kebba Njie played a pivotal role in the closing seconds, securing a critical rebound and hitting a free throw to extend the lead to 69-64. Syracuse had one final chance to cut into the deficit, but a missed three-pointer by Davis sealed the game for the Irish.


Statistical Highlights

Notre Dame shot 40.7% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc, with their three-point shooting proving to be the difference. Syracuse finished the game shooting 44.9% overall but could not overcome their struggles from deep. Both teams battled on the boards, with Notre Dame narrowly edging Syracuse 34-32 in rebounds.


Konieczny’s 13-point first half and Davis’ consistent scoring were highlights for the Irish, while Freeman’s double-double and Davis’ aggressive drives to the basket kept the Orange in contention.


Looking Ahead

Notre Dame will look to build on this momentum when they host Dartmouth on December 11. With finals week approaching, the Irish will aim to maintain focus and continue improving their defensive execution as they prepare for the heart of ACC play.


Syracuse, meanwhile, returns home for a two-game homestand, starting with Albany on December 10. The Orange will look to rebound from this tough loss and address their three-point shooting woes as they seek to climb the ACC standings.


A Gritty ACC Opener

Notre Dame’s 69-64 victory over Syracuse showcased their ability to respond under pressure and execute in crucial moments. With Shrewsberry leading the way and strong contributions from the supporting cast, the Fighting Irish demonstrated resilience in a closely contested game. For Syracuse, the loss highlighted both their potential and areas for improvement as they navigate the challenges of conference play.

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