Days after getting JJ Starling back in the lineup, the Syracuse men's basketball team got bad news before Tuesday's night's ACC tilt against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Starting forward Donnie Freeman, seen in a walking boot on Tuesday at the Dome, didn't play because of what the school is calling a lower right leg injury. Despite not having Freeman, the Orange won a must-win conference game 62-55.

Neither team shot the ball well, especially in the first half; the teams were a combined 8-41 (19.5%) from 3-point range and made fewer than 10 free throws combined.

The difference in the game was Starling, who shook off his rust from Saturday against Florida State by scoring a game-high 21 points. In a close game late, Starling scored or assisted on six of Syracuse's (7-8, 1-3 ACC) last eight points to close out a win.

"JJ's big time," said head coach Adrian Autry after the game. "He's one of the best guards in this league and one of the best guards in college basketball. I think if you've followed us through the stretch without him and having him now, I think you can see the difference and you can see how important he is." 

"Just come back with the mentality that I never left," Starling said after the game. "Just stay aggressive, stay confident in not only myself but in my teammates and with what my coaches are telling me to do, and go out there and make plays."

Starling's presence is opening up better looks for his teammates, and Chris Bell has reaped the benefits. After an 18-point performance off the bench on Saturday, Bell scored 13 more Tuesday night, including hitting two big free throws late.

"It helps me stop thinking," Bell said on his approach coming off the bench. "Just being able to come in the game and not think about the first four minutes or five minutes on the bench. I get to come in and play and I feel like it's helping me a lot going out there, just being aggressive and being myself."

The Orange's next game is Saturday afternoon at Boston College (9-6, 1-3 ACC).