Donnie Freeman scored 18 points, Nate Kingz had 15 and host Syracuse staved off a strong effort from Monmouth in a 78-73 victory on Tuesday night.

Naithan George tallied 12 points, nine assists and six rebounds for Syracuse (4-0) while J.J. Starling posted 11 points. The Orange shot 50% for the game and 60.9% in the second half, leading by as many as 14 before Monmouth whittled it to a two-point margin in the closing moments.

Justin Ray racked up 25 points and Stefanos Spartalis recorded 18 for Monmouth, both marking career highs. Jack Collins added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Hawks (1-3), who capitalized on Syracuse going just 10-for-21 at the foul line in the second half.

Monmouth's leading scorer on the season, Jason Rivera-Torres, was held to seven points on 2-o

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