Orange drop nailbiter to Clemson on the road

SU drops nailbiter to Clemson on the road

Buddy Boeheim and Elijah Hughes score 22 each but Tigers edge out 'Cuse 71-70.
Published: January 28, 2020
Syracuse's Buddy Boeheim vs. Clemson
Buddy Boeheim tries to drive to the basket Tuesday as Clemson's Clyde Trapp and John Newman III defend SU's guard.

Syracuse lost in a heartbreaker to Clemson on the road.

Buddy Boeheim and Elijah Hughes both did their thing by scoring 22 apiece for the Orange in the 71-70 loss at Littlejohn Coliseum. Joe Girard III also hit some massive shots. One specific three-pointer late to give the Orange a slight lead stood out. Girard came off a screen-ish play where he really just sized up his man one-on-one at the top of the key and pulled up from a couple of feet beyond the three-point line.

Foul trouble hurt the Orange down the stretch. Marek Dolezaj and Bourama Sidibe both fouled out. Dolezaj first, then Sidibe. That foul trouble thrust freshman Jesse Edwards into the game. One has to think, without the fouls, that the Orange may have come out victorious. Edwards would get matched up with Tevan Mack of Clemson — who had 32 points to lead all scorers — and simply get outplayed.

It’s hard to expect much of Edwards in this situation. He had a nice steal to force a turnover, but his lack of experience this year showed in a raucous environment in Clemson.

This one is tough to swallow. The Orange were so incredibly close from picking up a huge conference win that would’ve placed them in great standing in the conference. Instead, they drop a nailbiter that snapped a five-game winning streak for a 13-8 overall record. Now 6-4 in the ACC, SU’s fourth in the conference behind the three clear favorites of the group: Louisville, Florida State and Duke.

The Orange must recoup from this tough loss before welcoming Duke to the Carrier Dome Saturday in what’s set to be another intense ACC showdown. The game tips off at 8 p.m.

Joe Girard III and Elijah Hughes
Joe Girard III and Elijah Hughes fist bump during Tuesday's game at Clemson.