DAYTON, Ohio — Syracuse (21-13, 8-10 Atlantic Coast) beat Arizona State (20-12, 8-10 Pacific-12), 60-56, on Wednesday night at University of Dayton Arena. Freshman forward Oshae Brissett led SU with 23 points, helping the Orange earn a first round matchup with Texas Christian in the NCAA Tournament on Friday night in Detroit.
Here are the best images from the game.
The Warped Wing Brewery, a bar in Dayton, was filled with orange before the game. Many of the fans had doubted that SU would be in the Tournament.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Rich Anthony organized an event before the game. “You wouldn’t know it, but there’s 300 alumni in this southwest Ohio region,” Anthony said.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Junior point guard warms up. He missed two practices over the past few days as he battled strep throat.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Matthew Moyer and Patrick Herlihy kept silent before game time.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Elijah Hughes leads the team pre-game cheer before the Orange run out onto the court.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard Washington, a freshman guard who sustained a season-ending injury, led the team handshakes during lineup introductions.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Junior Paschal Chukwu sets a screen for Battle. Chukwu, SU's 7-foot-2 center, knocked down clutch free throws late in the game to preserve SU's lead.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Sophomore guard Tyus Battle looks to create or pass from the left wing.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard scored eight consecutive points to push SU's early lead to 10-7.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle attacks with his left hand. He finished with 15 points.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Chukwu hands the ball over to Battle. The Orange struggled to create offense off similar handoffs against ASU's active defense.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard said he didn't have his legs at full strength on Wednesday night.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Brissett cheers after a 3-pointer went through the net. He recorded his 13th double-double of the season, knocking down 7 of his 15 shot attempts from the floor.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle played all 40 minutes and shot 6-for-14.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard calls for the ball behind Brissett, who has proved to be effective on drives down the baseline.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Brissett fell hard to the ground after this leap. He drew a foul but missed both shots from the charity stripe.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Freshman forward Marek Dolezaj scored five points over 38 minutes.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
After Dolezaj recorded a steal, he was fouled by Shannon Evans II in transition. Otherwise, he struggled to assert himself offensively against the Sun Devils.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard was at his best Wednesday when he attacked the center of the ASU defense and floated a shot or dished off inside to a teammate. His shot, he said, was flat.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle tries to sneak down the baseline with his left, a side he's increasingly gone to as teams force him off his dominant right hand.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle lofts a floater in traffic.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim complained about fouls throughout the contest.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard takes a rest. He has started every SU game this season and played all 40 minutes Wednesday.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Brissett scored via his jumpshot, drives and back-downs inside the paint.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Herlihy cheers on the Orange.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle watches the clock tick below 10 seconds, though Syracuse didn't run into too many clock issues in the contest.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Chukwu said he takes 100 free throws after every single practice.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle and Howard smiled after Chukwu knocked down his first free throw with 39 seconds left and SU leading by two.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle and Howard embrace each other following the four-point victory.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
The SU band came out in full force, situated behind the basket on the Syracuse side of the venue.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Syracuse fans erupted late when the Orange pulled away, albeit slightly.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Brissett and Howard were all smiles in the locker room after the win, which earned SU a first round NCAA Tournament berth.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff PhotographerPublished on March 15, 2018 at 1:50 am Contact Alexandra: amoreo@syr.edu
