Syracuse and Mercyhurst Prepare for Second Consecutive Battle at the JMA Wireless Dome
The Orange and the Lakers will meet again on Saturday, December 12, inside the JMA Wireless Dome, marking the second straight year the two programs have faced off.
A year ago, Syracuse pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a 76‑62 victory, with Sadiq White Jr. contributing 13 points and nine rebounds.
Head coach Gerry McNamara, a former Syracuse star who guided Siena to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, now oversees a roster that blends returning sophomores Kiyan Anthony and White Jr. with a wave of transfers.
Anthony, who averaged eight points per game last season, returns alongside White Jr., while incoming guards Aiden Tobiason and Gavin Doty bring 15.3 and 18.0 points per game respectively from Temple and Siena.
Mercyhurst’s First Division I Journey
In their inaugural Division I campaign, the Lakers finished 17‑17 and reached the Northeast Conference Tournament final before falling to Long Island.
Veteran head coach Gary Manchel, now in his 24th season, will rely on junior guard Jake Lemelman, who posted 13.9 points per game last year, and four new transfers including Tennessee Rainwater.
Rainwater, a swingman from Le Moyne, adds 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game to the mix.
Fans can purchase season tickets for the upcoming campaign through the Syracuse athletics website.