On to the Next One!

Friday, March 16

Detroit, Mich.

9:40 PM

Syracuse University

22-13

TCU

21-12

Syracuse

TCU

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

3/17/2018 12:04:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Press Conference Postgame Wrap Photo Gallery

DETROIT – Freshman Marek Dolezaj scored 17 points and added four rebounds to lead 11th-seeded Syracuse (22-13) in a 57-52 win over sixth-seeded TCU (21-12) Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Orange will face third-seeded Michigan State in the second round on Sunday at 2:40 p.m. on CBS.

Freshman Oshae Brissett scored 13 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots. Junior Paschal Chukwu finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

How it was Decided
Tyus Battle and Frank Howard made back-to-back floaters to give Syracuse a 54-49 lead with 1:27 to play. TCU was unable to pull any closer than four over the remainder of the game.

Game Summary
Jumpers by Dolezaj, Bourama Sidibe and Howard, along with four foul shots by Brissett fueled a 10-2 run that gave Syracuse a 20-13 lead. TCU trimmed the Orange advantage to four but Dolezaj responded with a 3-pointer.

The Horned Frogs finished the first half on an 8-0 to take a 28-27 lead into halftime.

Dolezaj made a jumper and Battle followed with a trey to give Syracuse a 36-34 lead. TCU answered back with a dunk and a free throw to regain the lead. Sidibe made a layup and Howard drained a 3-pointer to put the Orange up four with 9:25 to play.

The Horned Frogs trimmed the Syracuse lead to one and Brissett made a tough layup in traffic to give the Orange a 46-43 advantage with 5:31 to play. TCU made a tip-in with 3:30 left to pull back within one.

STILL DANCIN' pic.twitter.com/snfycD6d4n
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 17, 2018

Numbers of Note
TCU shot 39.6 percent from the field (19-of-48) and Syracuse finished the game shooting 36.8 percent (21-of-57). The Orange forced 13 turnovers and outrebounded the Horned Frogs 37-34.

Prior to Friday's game, TCU averaged 83 points an outing. Syracuse held the Horned Frogs 31 points below their season average.

Battle and Howard each finished with seven points. Howard added five rebounds. It is just the second game this season the Battle scored fewer than 10 points.