Syracuse (20-13, 10-8 Atlantic coast) was eliminated from the ACC Tournament in an 84-72 loss to Duke (27-5, 14-4) in the third round. Frank Howard scored 28 points and timely buckets from Buddy Boeheim and Elijah Hughes helped the Orange compete, but Zion Williamson and Duke were ultimately too much.
Here are the best shots from the game.
Syracuse met Duke Thursday night for the third time this season. The teams split the first two matchups earlier in the season.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
The Orange lost, 84-72, and trailed by only a few possessions at the half. For the majority of the ballgame, they were on the cusp.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
“I thought we fought as hard as we could,” SU head coach Jim Boeheim said.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Frank Howard was criticized for intentionally tripping Zion Williamson, but he said afterward it was not intentional. “I’m not going to wait four years to get to this stage to start tripping people.”
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Elijah Hughes, a junior forward, scored eight points and had five rebounds.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard scored a career-high 28 points, knocking down jumpers and contested 3-pointers to keep SU in the game.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Freshman point guard Jalen Carey had one rebound and two points.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Hughes shot 2-for-8 from the field, though he added five rebounds.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Bourama Sidibe, a freshman forward who plays rarely, had an amplified role with Paschal Chukwu’s foul trouble. He played 14 minutes and had five rebounds.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Carey played more minutes (seven) on Wednesday night in the win over Pittsburgh than he had in any game in a month.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Sophomore forward Oshae Brissett played almost 35 minutes, shooting 4-for-9 from the field and 1-for-2 from deep. He had seven rebounds.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Marek Dolezaj, a sophomore forward, scored two points in 24 points. He took two shots and grabbed three boards.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Oshae Brissett drives in with his left hand. In the absence of Tyus Battle, Brissett was more aggressive offensively.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Buddy Boeheim was 3-for-5 from deep and had 15 points. “I think he’s getting better...He was again exceeding expectations for what I thought coming in to the year, his game games has been really solid,” his father, Jim, said.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard had three assists and two steals, but he committed six of SU’s 17 turnovers.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Brissett shot 5-for-9 from the free-throw line, and the Orange missed nine from the charity stripe in the 12-point loss.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Howard said of Williamson, who had 29 points: “He’s a terrific talent, terrific athlete and he’s showing that.”
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Hughes shot 1-for-4 from deep.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Dolezaj had three boards, one assist and two steals in the ballgame.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Syracuse awaits its seed for the NCAA Tournament, with a likely seed between No. 7 and N0. 10. The time of the game and location is to be determined.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Boeheim has entrusted Howard to take command of the offense in recent games.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Said Howard: “Tyus being out, I knew I had to be a little bit more aggressive.”
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer
Buddy and Tyus Battle, who will be back for the NCAA Tournament, are key offensive playmakers for SU. The Orange will look to ride them next week in the Big Dance.
Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff PhotographerPublished on March 15, 2019 at 2:56 am Contact Alexandra: amoreo@syr.edu
