Boeheim Leads Orange Pitt Stop
3/13/2019 11:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Led by a career-high 20 points from freshman Buddy Boeheim, sixth-seeded Syracuse (20-12) advanced to the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament with a 73-59 victory over Pittsburgh (14-19) Wednesday evening.
In the first 20-point game of his career, Boeheim shot 6-of-13 from the field, an effort which included three 3-pointers. He nabbed a career-high six rebounds and led the Orange with four assists. Elijah Hughes and Frank Howard joined Boeheim in double-digits, both tallying 18 points. Hughes had a game-best 5-of-7 performance behind the arc in addition to his four rebounds and three assists.
Pitt was led by Jared Wilson-Frame who had 24 points, which included eight 3-pointers.
The Orange were without Third-Team All-ACC guard Tyus Battle, who missed the contest with a lower back bruise. He was injured near the end of the March 9 game at Clemson.
Syracuse advanced to the quarterfinals and will face third-seeded Duke Thursday, March 14, at 9 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Syracuse and Duke split their regular-season series, each picking up road wins.
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
With the Orange trailing 39-34 early in the second half, Boeheim helped shift the game's momentum. He started a personal 8-0 run with a basket and then followed with back-to-back 3-pointers that put Syracuse ahead, 43-39. The Orange did not trail again.
WILSON-FRAME GUIDES PITT START
Pittsburgh utilized a long-distance approach in the opening half, connecting on 6-of-10 (.600) 3-pointers. Syracuse led 8-7 when the Panthers turned to Jared Wilson-Frame, who converted five-of-his-first-six shots from behind the arc and finished the half with 18 points, all on 3-pointers. Pittsburgh's lead reached 10 points, 33-23, with 4:34 left in the half. Syracuse cut into the advantage and the teams went to the intermission with the Panthers ahead, 36-30.
O-ZONE KEYS TURNAROUND
While Boeheim and his mates were helping the Orange to a 43-point second half, the Syracuse defense contributed as well. Syracuse limited Pittsburgh to 8-of-31 (.258) from the field after the break. Paschal Chukwu had five second-half blocked shots and the Orange out-rebounded the Panthers, 21-16, over the last 20 minutes of play.
THREE-POINT KEY
As a team, the Orange knocked in 12 3-pointers, marking the ninth game this season with double-digit treys. Syracuse improved to 8-1 when making 10 or more 3-pointers. The trio of Boeheim, Howard and Hughes combined for all 12 of the Orange's 3-pointers.
OF NOTE
In the first 20-point game of his career, Boeheim shot 6-of-13 from the field, an effort which included three 3-pointers. He nabbed a career-high six rebounds and led the Orange with four assists. Elijah Hughes and Frank Howard joined Boeheim in double-digits, both tallying 18 points. Hughes had a game-best 5-of-7 performance behind the arc in addition to his four rebounds and three assists.
Pitt was led by Jared Wilson-Frame who had 24 points, which included eight 3-pointers.
The Orange were without Third-Team All-ACC guard Tyus Battle, who missed the contest with a lower back bruise. He was injured near the end of the March 9 game at Clemson.
Syracuse advanced to the quarterfinals and will face third-seeded Duke Thursday, March 14, at 9 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Syracuse and Duke split their regular-season series, each picking up road wins.
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
With the Orange trailing 39-34 early in the second half, Boeheim helped shift the game's momentum. He started a personal 8-0 run with a basket and then followed with back-to-back 3-pointers that put Syracuse ahead, 43-39. The Orange did not trail again.
WILSON-FRAME GUIDES PITT START
Pittsburgh utilized a long-distance approach in the opening half, connecting on 6-of-10 (.600) 3-pointers. Syracuse led 8-7 when the Panthers turned to Jared Wilson-Frame, who converted five-of-his-first-six shots from behind the arc and finished the half with 18 points, all on 3-pointers. Pittsburgh's lead reached 10 points, 33-23, with 4:34 left in the half. Syracuse cut into the advantage and the teams went to the intermission with the Panthers ahead, 36-30.
O-ZONE KEYS TURNAROUND
While Boeheim and his mates were helping the Orange to a 43-point second half, the Syracuse defense contributed as well. Syracuse limited Pittsburgh to 8-of-31 (.258) from the field after the break. Paschal Chukwu had five second-half blocked shots and the Orange out-rebounded the Panthers, 21-16, over the last 20 minutes of play.
THREE-POINT KEY
As a team, the Orange knocked in 12 3-pointers, marking the ninth game this season with double-digit treys. Syracuse improved to 8-1 when making 10 or more 3-pointers. The trio of Boeheim, Howard and Hughes combined for all 12 of the Orange's 3-pointers.
OF NOTE
- Pittsburgh is Syracuse's fifth most-familiar opponent, as Wednesday's meeting was the 116th all-time meeting. The Orange lead the series, 71-45.
- The Orange won the battle of the boards, 36-34, and remain undefeated in 2019 when doing so (11-0).
- Paschal Chukwu tied a season high with six blocks.
- Wednesday was Boeheim's third start of his career and first since the opening two games of the season.
Team Stats
PITT
SYR
FG%
.327
.434
3FG%
.435
.444
FT%
.813
.714
RB
34
36
TO
14
13
STL
9
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
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