For most of the first half and the early minutes of the second, it looked like Syracuse had chances for an upset. Its offense was stellar and the 2-3 zone left a lot to be desired, but the Orange (13-9, 6-5 Atlantic Coast) held with No. 9 Duke (18-3, 8-2) before ultimately falling short, 97-88, on Saturday night. Marek Dolezaj led SU with 22 points while Elijah Hughes chipped in 21.
After winning five-straight games over a three week span, the Orange have now lost two-straight heading into next Saturday’s tilt against Wake Forest.
Here are some of the best photos from Syracuse’s loss to the Blue Devils.
On Saturday night, 31,458 fans filed into the Carrier Dome — the largest college basketball crowd this season.
Corey Henry | Photo Editor
Elijah Hughes scored six early points for the Orange, but only shot 1-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Corey Henry | Photo Editor
Joe Girard III had just one of Syracuse's 10 turnovers against the Blue Devils.
Corey Henry | Photo Editor
Marek Dolezaj led the Orange with 22 points, despite missing a few second-half minutes with a left quad bruise.
Corey Henry | Photo Editor
Quincy Guerrier fouled out with just under five minutes remaining in the second half, forcing the Orange to eventually play Jesse Edwards in the final minutes.
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Entering the game late as a press spark, Howard Washington logged a steal over five minutes.
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Dolezaj's points came on 8-for-14 shooting, and a nearly-perfect night from the free throw line.
Corey Henry | Photo Editor
After picking up two-straight double-doubles, Dolezaj is now without one in his last four games.
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Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim walked several feet onto the court to confront Girard after the freshman pulled up from far behind the 3-point line.
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Buddy Boeheim tallied 13 points on four made shots, the fewest he's made in a game since Virginia Tech on Jan. 7.
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Duke's 97 points are the most SU has given up all season. Five Blue Devils scored in double-digits, including Alex O'Connell's (left) 11.
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For the second time in three games, Girard — one of the country's best free throw shooters — missed a foul shot.
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After shooting 8.33% from beyond the arc in the first half, Syracuse rattled in five of its 14 attempts in the second.
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Guerrier made an impact on the glass for the Orange, leading them with seven rebounds. He was Syracuse's counter for Vernon Carey Jr. (17 rebounds).
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Boeheim has now lost four of his last five games against Duke and head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
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After winning five-straight games, the Orange have now dropped two straight.
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When the open 3-point looks were nonexistent, Syracuse adapted its offense to focus on the interior.
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After the loss to Duke, Syracuse's offense still rose to 16th in the country, per KenPom.
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Saturday night was the fourth time in seven that Hughes, a redshirt junior, attempted 18 or more shots.
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Overall, Syracuse shot nearly 40% from the field. But Duke shot 57.4%.
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Syracuse jumped out to an early lead against the Blue Devils, but watched it evaporate late in the first half and early in the second.
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Hughes attempted the most field goals on the Orange (19) and was one of two Syracuse players to shoot 100% from the charity stripe.
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Bourama Sidibe managed eight points but also failed to match up against Duke's physical interior presence at times.
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Girard reacts after he was called for a foul, one of 54 the Orange and Blue Devils combined for.
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Girard led the Orange with three 3-pointers made, and he attempted a team-high 10 shots from beyond the arc.
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Duke's physicality eventually wore down the Orange, as the Blue Devils subbed in players like Javin DeLaurier specifically for rebounding moments.
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Syracuse is now off for a week before facing Wake Forest in the Carrier Dome next Saturday at 8 p.m.
Corey Henry | Photo EditorPublished on February 2, 2020 at 1:54 am
