Syracuse (20-12, 10-8 Atlantic Coast) started Wednesday’s ACC tournament opener down early to Pittsburgh (14-19, 3-15). Without their star Tyus Battle, the Orange struggled to find offense. But behind Buddy Boeheim’s offensive showcase as a starter (20 points), and the defensive presence of Paschal Chukwu, who tied a career-high in blocks (six), SU pulled away from the Panthers in the second half, 73-59. Syracuse will face Duke tomorrow night in the quarterfinals.
Here’s the best shots from Syracuse’s second round win.
Jalen Carey warms up as junior guard Tyus Battle watches because of a back bruise keeping him out.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Syracuse had only won one game in the ACC tournament since joining the conference entering Wednesday.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
The Orange had a bye into the second round of play while Pittsburgh beat Wake Forest Tuesday night.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Frank Howard put up his second-highest point total of the season (18) on Wednesday.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Elijah Hughes had three assists against the Panthers.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Paschal Chukwu crashed the offensive glass effectively, leading to kick-outs to shooters.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Oshae Brissett’s shooting struggles continued with a 2-of-8 night from the field.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard played a season-high 36 minutes with Battle out due to injury.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Brissett finished the game with just four points.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
The Syracuse defense picked up 11 steals as the Panthers struggled to get into the paint.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Buddy Boeheim shone in his first start since November with a career-high 20 points.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard knocked down two 3-point shots in each half of Wednesday’s game.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Hughes hit a long ball while being fouled in the first half, and made the free throw to complete a four-point play.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
The Orange had never played a game without Battle in his time at SU.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Brissett listens to Jim Boeheim after being pulled from the game. He was subbed back in after Chukwu fouled out of the game with less than two minutes left.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard made all four of his foul shots down the stretch to help SU ice the game.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
On one play inside, Chukwu had his glasses knocked off his face and laughed with a referee about it afterward.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Boeheim joked after the game that in the second half, he stopped coaching.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Buddy made 3-of-7 shots from beyond the arc on Wednesday night.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Buddy added a career-high six rebounds to an all-around night.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Marek Dolezaj drew a charge Wednesday and spent time at the power forward and the center spots.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle had played 102-straight games for the Orange, but that streak ended on Wednesday.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Battle was all smiles postgame as his teammates moved Syracuse onward.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
The band and cheerleaders shouted and cheered, setting up a Thursday night rubber match with Duke.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff PhotographerPublished on March 14, 2019 at 1:40 am Contact Alexandra: amoreo@syr.edu
