Orange Win Streak Snapped by Hokies

Saturday, February 12

Blacksburg, VA

6 PM

Syracuse University

Virginia Tech

2/12/2022 6:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Jim Boeheim Press Conference Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG, VA. -- Syracuse fought back from a 12-point, second-half deficit to tie the contest, 54-54, but Virginia Tech closed things out by outscoring the Orange 17-5 the rest of the way in a 71-59 Hokie triumph on Saturday, The ACC matchup was played in front of a Cassell Coliseum sell-out of 8,925.

The Orange (13-12, 7-7 ACC) saw their four-game winning streak halted while the Hokies (15-10, 7-7 ACC) extended their consecutive victory run to five.

Buddy Boeheim had 21 points and Joseph Girard III added 16 points for Syracuse. Girard became the 65th player in Orange hoop history to surpass 1,000 career points during the course of the game. Frank Anselem, who made his first career start, had a game-high 15 rebounds.

Justyn Mutts produced the first the first triple-double against the Orange since 2017 with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
The Hokies responded to Syracuse tying the score, 54-54, by tallying 13 unanswered points. Mutts and Keve Aluma each scored four unanswered points that helped Virginia Tech close out the contest.

HOKIES FIRE AWAY EARLY
Virginia Tech entered the contest ranked second nationally in 3-point field goal percentage and the Hokies flashed their marksmanship early. Three straight 3-pointers from Hunter Cattoor helped the hosts build a 13-6 lead, five minutes into the outing. Darius Maddox and Sean Padulla added early 3-pointers and Virginia Tech led, 20-16, halfway through the opening period.

Syracuse countered with seven consecutive points on a bank shot from Symir Torrence, another Girard 3-pointer, and a basket from Buddy Boeheim that flipped the script and put the Orange ahead, 23-20. A Buddy Boeheim 3-pointer provided Syracuse a 26-24 advantage before Virginia Tech countered. The Hokies out-pointed the Orange 15-3 for the remainder of the first half and went into the intermission in front, 39-29.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
The Virginia Tech first-half margin was helped by the Hokies' ability to produce points off Syracuse's turnovers. The home team had a 12-0 advantage in the category after the opening 20 minutes.

ORANGE CHARGE
With the Orange behind, 49-37 with 14:21 remaining in the second half, Syracuse rallied. A 17-5 run was ignited by back-to-back 3-pointers from Buddy Boeheim, followed by a Girard 3-pointer. Buddy Boeheim ended up scoring 12 of the 17 points in the comeback and his jumper knotted the score at 54-54, with 6:56 left in regulation.

Virginia Tech put together it's final large run of the evening and captured the triumph.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Anselem's 15 rebounds represented the most by a Syracuse player this season.
Anselem made his first collegiate start for the Orange in place of the injured Jesse Edwards.
Buddy Boeheim passed Dave Johnson (1,614) and moved into 17th on Syracuse's career scoring list..
Syracuse finished with 10 3-pointers compared to Virginia Tech's eight.
Buddy Boeheim scored in double figures for the 21st time this season and sixth consecutive game.
Virginia Tech finished the game with a 17-2 margin in points off turnovers.

NEXT GAME
After a week break, the Orange return to the Dome on Saturday Feb. 19 to host Boston College in the second game in the two-game series. Tip off in the Dome is set for noon and will be televised on ESPNU.

Gallery: (2-12-2022) Syracuse at Virginia Tech