Syracuse men’s basketball solid start continues with 84-70 win
SU men's basketball wins second home game
In their second game of the season, the Syracuse men’s basketball team was able to roll at home against Morehead State 84-70. This was the first meeting between the programs since the 1987-88 season.
The Orange started the game on a roll taking a 25-10 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. However, the Eagles found a way to get back in the game, going on a 10-0 run in a 4-minute stretch where Syracuse turned the ball over four times.
Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim pointed out that even though the Orange had a good start, they committed other avoidable mistakes.
“We had a lot of turnovers,” Boeheim said. “We missed a lot of shots around the basket. I thought that there was contact, but you have to finish those plays.”
Morehead State cut Syracuse’s lead to 1. However, the Orange reacted and were able to finish the half 36-30.
Junior guard Tyus Battle, who has been struggling throughout the preseason and game one against Eastern Washington where he only went 3 for 10 in the field, got going in the second half, scoring 18 points and shooting 5 for 6 on the field with 8 for 8 from the free throw line. These struggles have come because of the absence of senior guard Frank Howard. With Howard out, Battle has been forced to play on the ball at point guard instead of his usual shooting guard position.
“I thought he got a couple of pull-ups — that’s his shot,” Boeheim said about Battle. “He is a very good shooter when he gets his shot.”
Led by Battle, the Orange were able to score a season-high 48 points for a half in the next 20 minutes. Elijah Hughes and Paschal Chukwu joined Battle in the second half to reach double digits in just the half, with 12 and 10.
Additionally, sophomore Oshae Brissett got the first double-double of the season for the Orange with 17 points and 13 rebounds. He also had a few steals and assists. The SU offense was too much for Morehead State to catch up.
Syracuse will hit the road to take on the University of Connecticut on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
is a contributor at The NewsHouse.
