Syracuse started its sports day with a big shock: the university’s athletic director, John Wildhack, announced he would retire on July 1. The news came just before the Orange were set to face California in the JMA Wireless Dome, adding extra pressure on the team and its new head coach, Adrian Autry.

The game itself was a roller‑coaster. The lights dimmed and the scoreboard went black, but the players kept fighting. There were 28 lead changes, a flurry of three‑point shots, and several missed free throws. The Orange managed to hold on for a 107-100 victory over Cal, showing resilience despite the season’s ups and downs.

After the game, Autry spoke calmly about the day. He thanked Wildhack for his work and said he was ready to focus on the next season. He didn’t discuss his own future, only that Wildhack had told him about the retirement announcement. The team said they were trying to ignore outside noise and stay focused on each other in the locker room.

Players like Nate Kingz and William Kyle said they had no idea about Wildhack’s announcement until the game ended. Their main focus was on beating California, not on administrative changes. Kyle scored 15 points and grabbed 16 rebounds before a painful calf cramp forced him to leave the court.

When the lights went out, the scoreboard was invisible and only a small board near the benches showed the score. Fans were left guessing, but the game clock above each basket still worked. Despite the confusion, both teams agreed to finish the match and keep the action going.

Syracuse’s win was a bright spot in an otherwise rocky season. The Orange proved they could overcome unexpected challenges, both on and off the court.

Lights Out, Wins Won: Syracuse’s Wild Tuesday

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