Orange Overcome 16-Pt. Deficit To Win In OT

Saturday, December 19

Syracuse, N.Y.

6 PM

Syracuse University

107

Buffalo

12/19/2020 8:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Jim Boeheim Press Conference Buddy Boeheim Press Conference Alan Griffin Press Conference Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - After trailing by as many as 16 in the second half, Syracuse (6-1) stormed back to beat Buffalo (3-3), 107-96 in overtime, on Saturday night in the Carrier Dome.

Quincy Guerrier led the Orange with a career-high 27 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his second-straight double-double. Griffin had a double-double of his own, tying his career high with 24 points and grabbing 10 boards. Buddy Boeheim rounded out a trio of 20+ point scorers for the Orange with 22 points. It was the first time that the Orange had three-or-more 20+ point scorers since the six-overtime game against Connecticut in the 2009 BIG EAST Tournament (Flynn 34, Harris 29, Devendorf 22, Rautins 20).

With the game tied at 87 with under 10 seconds to play, Marek Dolezaj had the ball stolen by Josh Mballa, who sent the ball ahead to Jayvon Graves. Alan Griffin raced down the court for the chase-down block to send the game to overtime. In the extra period, the Orange outscored the Bulls 20-9 to seal the comeback victory.

FROM COACH BOEHEIM
"We had a lot of big plays tonight" said Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim. "Alan Griffin's block was one of the best plays I've ever seen in here. That was an incredible play, and it saved the game for us."

IGNITING A COMEBACK
With 15:59 left in the second half, Buffalo owned its largest lead of the game, 59-43. The Bulls used six 3-pointers in the first half and 18-of-35 shooting (.514) to build an 11-point lead at the intermission. Syracuse opened the second half by hitting just 1-of-10 from the field.

Guerrier helped start things with a 3-pointer that initiated a 10-2 Syracuse run. Guerrier had the first six points and Boeheim followed with back-to-back baskets that reduced the Bull advantage to 61-53.

Buffalo pushed its lead back to 11, 67-56, but the Orange quickly answered on a free throw by Kadary Richmond and consecutive scores from Dolezaj. The margin was down to six, 67-61.

STORMING BACK
A basket from Buffalo's Jayvon Graves had the visitors up, 75-67, with 7:32 left in regulation. The Orange scored 11 of the next 14 points, including five from Griffin, and Dolezaj capped the un with a driving layup to knot the score at 78-78.

Out of a Buffalo timeout, Mballa made a lay-up that was answered by a pair of free throws from Dolezaj. The teams traded twos again before Guerrier spun through the paint and made a reverse layup through contact, adding a free throw to put the Orange ahead, 85-82, with 1:16 to play.

Mballa responded for the Bulls again before a Richmond miss was put home by Griffin to give the Orange another three-point edge. Buffalo refused to be buried. Segu sank a triple at the other end with 15 seconds to play to tie the game at 87.

Syracuse set up a play but Mballa stole the ball. The Bulls had the opportunity to close out the game with David Nickelberry on a breakaway, but Griffin saved the day with a chase-down block to send the contest into overtime.

The block that sent it to OT 👀@alangriffin_ pic.twitter.com/QgeeSYXrW8
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) December 20, 2020

ORANGE PULL AWAY IN OT
Griffin opened the extra session with a jumper in the paint and Syracuse would not trail again. He scored nine of his 24 points in overtime to help the Orange secure the come-from-behind triumph. Boeheim and Guerrier each contributed five points in overtime.

𝓢𝔂𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓼 😁 pic.twitter.com/bjO6aM8nkq
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) December 20, 2020

NOTABLE NUMBERS

The 16-point deficit was the largest deficit overcome in a victory by Syracuse since also recovering from a 16-point hole at NC State on February 1, 2017 to win 100-93 in overtime.
107 points are the most scored by the Orange since posting 108 at home against Monmouth in the 2012-13 season.
The win is the first for the Orange in overtime since beating defending national champion Virginia on the road last season, 63-55.
Marek Dolezaj tied his career high with four blocks. He had previously swatted away four shots against Niagara in the 2019-20 season.
Quincy Guerrier recorded his seventh career double-double (27 points, 11 rebounds).
Kadary Richmond reached a career high with eight rebounds.
Buddy Boeheim equaled his career best in assists (four). He had previously dished out four assists seven times.

UP NEXT

Syracuse returns to ACC play when it hosts Notre Dame on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.

Gallery: (12-19-2020) Syracuse vs. Buffalo

Syracuse University Athletics remains committed to doing everything it can to support and protect the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, our staff and the campus and Syracuse communities. All decisions will be science-based and informed by public health and guidance as provided by county, state and public health officials.

If fans are permitted to attend games – in some capacity – Syracuse Athletics will announce plans for spectators to secure admission to the events. Fans will be required to sit in their socially-distanced seat locations and wear a face covering.

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow us on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (cuse_mbb) and like us on Facebook (SyracuseOrange).