Syracuse, N.Y. – The Syracuse Orange held off Monmouth’s upset bid on Tuesday night, surviving the Hawks’ late-game surge for a 78-73 victory.

But poor free throw shooting nearly cost Syracuse the game.

Syracuse had struggled at the free throw line in its first three wins of the season, but the massive margin of victories (38, 40 and 30 points) kept the free throw woes from biting the Orange in Otto’s you-know-what.

On Tuesday, the game was tight and got even tighter as Syracuse gave away points and possessions with missed opportunities at the line. The Orange made just 57% of its free throws against Monmouth, going 19-for-33.

The issues grew worse and the situation more dire in the second half when the Orange went 10-for-21 (47%) at the charity stripe.

Monmouth had trailed by 11 poin

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