Syracuse, N.Y. — Buddy Boeheim’s first 3-pointer of the game came when Syracuse needed it most.
With 2:17 left in overtime, the Syracuse star gave the Orange a two-point lead over Georgia Tech, which ultimately led to a 74-73 win in the Carrier Dome on Monday.
Boeheim finished with 15 points, all scored in the second half and overtime period. He had a costly turnover with 22 seconds left, which gave Georgia Tech guard Michael Devoe three chances to win the game, but all three shots clanked off the rim.
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It was the Orange’s second consecutive win after beating Boston College by 20 points on Saturday. Monday’s game, originally scheduled for Dec. 29, was nearly two months overdue after it was rescheduled due to positive Covid-19 tests within the Georgia Tech program.
Syracuse had possession of the ball at the end of regulation with the score tied at 63, but Jimmy Boeheim couldn’t convert on the jump hook that would’ve sealed the victory.
Devoe started the overtime period with a 3-pointer, but Syracuse guard Cole Swider countered with a triple of his own to tie the game. Syracuse center Bourama Sidibe, who was in the game because Frank Anselem fouled out at the end of regulation, scored a clutch layup to tie the game at 68. Sidibe also bumped heads with Khalid Moore, which wasn’t deemed a foul after an official review.
Syracuse guard Joe Girard nailed three 3-pointers and finished with 12 points and five assists. Syracuse’s other two shooters, Boeheim and Swider, struggled offensively in the first half. The two combined to shoot 2-for-13 from the field in the first half, seven of which were 3-point attempts. Swider’s first make — a pullup 15-footer — went down with two minutes to go before halftime, and he tied the game at 33 just before the break with a triple that had a “shooter’s roll.”
Swider, who recorded a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, continued to shoot well as the game went on, making his next four shots after his initial struggles. Boeheim went scoreless in the first half and ended the game with 15 points and four assists on 5-of-20 from the field.
Syracuse went almost four minutes without scoring a field goal to start the game, leaving Orange fans on their feet and clapping as part of their pregame ritual until the team makes a basket. Joe Girard split a pair of free throws to start the game, but Georgia Tech went on an 8-0 run after that. The crowd groaned after all six of Syracuse’s misses during that stretch, four of which were from beyond the arc.
After a timeout, Sidibe entered the game at center in place of Anselem, and Jimmy Boeheim scored Syracuse’s first basket of the game. Boeheim was active early and often for Syracuse. He attacked the rim for easy baskets, which attracted attention from defenders so he could find his teammates. Sidibe was a recipient of one of these passes and slammed home his first dunk of the season. Boeheim had his second straight double-double with a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Anselem, who was limited on Saturday due to foul trouble, was sound on the defensive end with 10 rebounds, two points and two blocks. Anselem was poked in the eye in the second half, causing a brief timeout. The play was reviewed, but no foul was called. Anselem remained in the game until he fouled out with 1:13 left in the game. Sidibe also picked up four fouls and he was limited to just 10 minutes on Monday.
Devoe, the ACC’s third-leading scorer behind Buddy Boeheim, was held to just 14 points, five rebounds and four assists on Monday. Georgia Tech center Rodney Howard led his team with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Deebo Coleman went scoreless until he connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 59 with about four minutes left in the game.
Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner, who holds a reputation for being animated during games, was issued a warning for stepping too far onto the court in the second half. On the Yellow Jackets’ defensive possessions, Pastner would often hold up a red poster to signify which set he wanted to be executed.
Georgia Tech sophomore Deivon Smith, who averages 5.7 points and 3.4 rebounds, did not play because he is in concussion protocol after the Yellow Jackets’ win at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Syracuse’s next test is on the road at Notre Dame on Wednesday at 7 p.m., an opportunity to earn a big win over one of the best teams in the conference.
Contact Mike Curtis anytime: Email | Twitter
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