Orange Top Defending Champs in OT

Saturday, January 11

Charlottesville, VA

4 PM

Syracuse University

9-7,2-3ACC

Virginia

11-4,3-2ACC

OT 1

Syracuse

Virginia

1/11/2020 7:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Jim Boeheim Press Conference Photo Gallery

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Syracuse hit five 3-pointers in overtime to defeat No. 18/18 Virginia, 63-55, in Charlottesville on Saturday, Jan. 11. The victory, which was the first for the Orange in John Paul Jones Arena since 2007, snapped Syracuse's two-game losing streak.

Freshman Joseph Girard III led the way with 19 points, while redshirt junior Elijah Hughes scored 18 points. Sophomore Buddy Boeheim also reached double figures in scoring with 14 points, and junior Marek Dolezaj pulled down a team-best 11 rebounds to go along with five assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The squads entered the extra session tied at 43-43, but Mamadi Diakite converted a layup on Virginia's first possession to give the Cavaliers a 45-43 advantage. The Orange (9-7, 2-3) responded with three consecutive 3-pointers -- by Hughes, Girard and Boeheim -- to take the lead for good with 3:21 on the clock. Virginia (11-4, 3-2) cut the advantage to five before Boeheim heaved a 3-pointer from 30 feet as the shot clock expired to push the lead back to eight at 57-49. Girard followed with another 3-pointer to give the Orange their largest lead of the day, 60-49. Boeheim went 1-for-2 from the free throw line with 24 seconds remaining for the 63-55 final.

HUGHES, GIRARD POST STRONG FIRST-HALF SHOWING
The first half was a low-scoring affair as neither team reached double figures before the second media timeout. The squads were tied at 11-11 when Hughes hit a deep 3-pointer at the eight-minute mark to spark the Orange on an 11-4 run as they took their largest lead of the half at 22-15. Hughes had two 3-pointers during the offensive outburst, which was capped by Girard's 3-pointer with 2:55 on the clock. Girard converted two free throws with 31 seconds remaining, but Jay Huff grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a dunk with one second left to cut the Orange's lead to 24-20 at intermission. Hughes and Girard had eight points apiece to pace Syracuse.

Gallery: (1/11/2020) Syracuse at Virginia

ORANGE BIGS IN FOUL TROUBLE
The 'Cuse came out of the locker room strong and opened up a seven-point lead, 30-23, forcing a Virginia timeout. Shortly after, junior Bourama Sidibe and Dolezaj were both called for their fourth fouls a minute apart, forcing them to the bench. The Cavaliers promptly went on a 12-0 scoring run that gave them the lead for the first time since early in the first half. Dolezaj returned to the lineup and his two free throws halted UVA's run and brought the Orange within three, 35-32. Girard followed with a 3-pointer for the sixth tie of the game at 35-35 with 9:46 remaining. Neither team could pull away the remainder of regulation as both squads faced overtime for the first time this season.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Syracuse scored 20 points in overtime, which was one more than it scored in the second half (19).
Huff recorded a double-double for Virginia with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The win for the Orange was their first against the Cavaliers since a 66-62 victory in the Carrier Dome on Feb. 4, 2017.
The 55 points allowed are the fewest Syracuse has given up in an overtime game since a 49-46 victory against Pitt in 2004. In addition, it marked the lowest points allowed against an ACC opponent in an overtime game since the Orange joined the league.
Girard was 4-for-4 from the free throw line. He is now 45-for-47 from the charity stripe this season and leads all Division I performers in free throw percentage (.957)

UP NEXT
Syracuse returns home to host Boston College on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be shown live on ACC Network and ACC Network Extra. Fans can watch if their cable provider carries the ACC Network. Fans unsure if their provider carries ACCN are strongly encouraged to visit GetACCN.com.

Tickets for Boston College and all regular-season home games are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center.