Wednesday, November 23
New York, NY
9:30 p.m.
Syracuse University
69
vs
58
Virginia Tech
Fab Melo battles for position against Virginia Tech on Wednesday.
Photo by: Steven R. Smith
#5/5 Syracuse Rallies to Defeat Virginia Tech, 69-58
11/23/2011 10:13:44 PM | Men's Basketball
Box Score | Season Stats
NEW YORK, N.Y. – #5/5 Syracuse (5-0) outscored Virginia Tech (3-1) by 13 in the second half to defeat the Hokies 69-58 in the semifinals of the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Orange trailed for the first 27:50 of the game, but took its first lead courtesy of #C.J. Fair dunk created by a driving Dion Waiters#. Fair's dunk was part of an 11-0 run, which gave SU a 50-42 advantage. SU's largest lead would reach 12 at 65-53.
Kris Joseph had his highest scoring output of the season with 20 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Fair also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, the first of his career. Brandon Triche (18) and Waiters (11) scored in double figures as well. Waiters tallied all of his points in the second half, including nine consecutive SU points in a three minute span.
The Orange faced a seven point deficit three times in the first half, but a Fair put back as time expired closed the halftime gap to 29-27 in favor of the Hokies. VT shot 48 percent in the first half (11-of-23) and connected on four of its 10 three point attempts.
SU buckled down on defense in the second half, holding the Hokies to 37 percent shooting (9-of-24), which led to easy offense for SU as the Orange cashed in on 22 points off 16 Virginia Tech turnovers. The Orange shot 55 percent in the second 20 minutes and outscored VT 36-16 in the paint for the game. Fab Melo set a career-high with five blocks. He has had at least four blocks in three of the five games this season.
One of Triche's four three pointers on the evening brought the game even for the first time at 42-42, which jumpstarted the 11-0 SU spurt. The Hokies would cut SU's lead to five at 58-53, but that would be as close as VT would get, as the Orange responded with a 7-0 run to ice the game.
The Hokies had three players in double-figures led by Jarell Eddie who shot 6-of-14 and had 17 points. Erick Green poured in 14 and Dorenzo Hudson had 13.
The Orange now holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series with Virginia Tech.
SU will play Stanford in the finals of the NIT Season Tip Off on Friday at 5:00 p.m. (ESPN).
NEW YORK, N.Y. – #5/5 Syracuse (5-0) outscored Virginia Tech (3-1) by 13 in the second half to defeat the Hokies 69-58 in the semifinals of the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Orange trailed for the first 27:50 of the game, but took its first lead courtesy of #C.J. Fair dunk created by a driving Dion Waiters#. Fair's dunk was part of an 11-0 run, which gave SU a 50-42 advantage. SU's largest lead would reach 12 at 65-53.
Kris Joseph had his highest scoring output of the season with 20 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Fair also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, the first of his career. Brandon Triche (18) and Waiters (11) scored in double figures as well. Waiters tallied all of his points in the second half, including nine consecutive SU points in a three minute span.
The Orange faced a seven point deficit three times in the first half, but a Fair put back as time expired closed the halftime gap to 29-27 in favor of the Hokies. VT shot 48 percent in the first half (11-of-23) and connected on four of its 10 three point attempts.
SU buckled down on defense in the second half, holding the Hokies to 37 percent shooting (9-of-24), which led to easy offense for SU as the Orange cashed in on 22 points off 16 Virginia Tech turnovers. The Orange shot 55 percent in the second 20 minutes and outscored VT 36-16 in the paint for the game. Fab Melo set a career-high with five blocks. He has had at least four blocks in three of the five games this season.
One of Triche's four three pointers on the evening brought the game even for the first time at 42-42, which jumpstarted the 11-0 SU spurt. The Hokies would cut SU's lead to five at 58-53, but that would be as close as VT would get, as the Orange responded with a 7-0 run to ice the game.
The Hokies had three players in double-figures led by Jarell Eddie who shot 6-of-14 and had 17 points. Erick Green poured in 14 and Dorenzo Hudson had 13.
The Orange now holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series with Virginia Tech.
SU will play Stanford in the finals of the NIT Season Tip Off on Friday at 5:00 p.m. (ESPN).
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