Girard Seals Narrow Win At Louisville

Tuesday, January 3

Louisville, KY

7 PM

Syracuse University

10-5,3-1ACC

Louisville

2-13,0-4ACC

Syracuse

Louisville

1/3/2023 9:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Senior guard Joseph Girard III led all scorers with 28 points, including two game-clinching free throws with 17 seconds left to help Syracuse (10-5, 3-1) win at Louisville (2-13, 0-4), 70-69, on Tuesday night.

Senior center Jesse Edwards logged his seventh double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 boards. Freshman guard Judah Mintz's 16-point night marked his sixth consecutive contest of 16 or more points.

Tonight Girard (1,376 points) surpassed Mike Lee (1,351) and Greg Kohls (1,360) and moved into the 33rd spot on the Syracuse career-scoring ledger. Girard (253) also officially claimed the fifth spot on the Orange career 3-point list. He now has more than Preston Shumpert (249).

HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
The Orange trailed throughout the second half until a Girard steal led to a dunk by Mintz with 3:39 remaining that put Syracuse ahead, 61-60. The Mintz slam set off a see-saw finish that featured seven lead changes. Girard, who scored seven of Syracuse's final nine points, converted two free throws with 17 seconds left. Leading 70-67, Syracuse fouled Louisville's El Ellis with eight seconds left. Ellis made both and then managed to steal the ball after an Orange turnover. Edwards managed to steal the ball back from Ellis and the clock rain out.

TIGHT BATTLE IN THE YUM! CENTER
Syracuse held an 10-6 edge after the opening five minutes of action. The Cardinals reacted with 13 unanswered points to take a 19-10 lead, their first of the game. Two 3-pointers from Mike James and a third by Jae'Lyn Winters (one), fueled the Louisville takeover.

Over the following three and a half minutes of action, the Orange defense held the Cards scoreless and forced four turnovers. Offensively, the duo of Girard and Mintz brought SU back up to speed by putting up a combined 12 points. Girard sandwiched a 3-pointer and a basket between two jump shots from Mintz to knot the score at 19-19.

Syracuse's margin reached five points, 32-27, after two free throws from Benny Williams. Louisville tallied eight of the final 10 points of the opening period, including a last-second, turnaround jumper from Brandon Huntly-Hatfield nailed a turnaround jumper that put the Cards in front at the intermission, 35-34.

EVEN DOWN THE STRETCH
Louisville scored the first six points of the second half to move in front, 41-36. The Orange rallied to tie the contest three times between the 18:00 and 11:00 minute mark. Freshman forward Chris Bell's 3-pointer equaled things at 43-43, a layup from Girard made it 45-45, and two free throws from Edwards knotted the score at 47-47.

El Ellis, who contributed 13 of his 20 points in the second half, gave the Cards a 60-55 lead after hitting a 3-pointer with 6:19 on the clock. A free throw from Williams and a 3-pointer by Girard tightened the gap and set up the dramatic final minutes.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Girard advanced past Mike Lee (1,351) and Greg Kohls (1,360) to take over the 33rd spot on Syracuse's career scoring list with 1,376 points.
Girard claimed fifth on on the program's career 3-point ledger. His four 3-pointers gave him 253 and broke a tie with Preston Shumpert (249).
The Orange have now captured seven of their last eight contests.
Tonight marked the eighth straight game that Girard has scored in double-digits.
Mintz recorded his seventh consecutive outing of double-figure points.
Edwards led both teams with four blocks.
Louisville leads the all-time series with Syracuse 19-12.
The Orange have won two straight from the Cardinals.
El Ellis led the Cardinals with 20 points, nine assists, and four rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Orange will travel to Charlottesville, Va. for a showdown with #11 Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 7. Tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m. and the game will air live on the ACC Network.

TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (@cuse_mbb).

Gallery: (1-4-2023) Syracuse vs. Louisville