Men's Basketball

Superlatives from Syracuse’s 95-91 win over No. 1 Duke

Alexandra Moreo | Senior Staff Photographer

Syracuse overcame an early 12-0 deficit.

By Charlie DiSturcoSenior Staff Writer

DURHAM, N.C. — This wasn’t expected. Syracuse, fresh off a 14-point loss on its home floor to Georgia Tech, had to travel to No. 1 Duke and one of the hardest venues to play in, Cameron Indoor Stadium. But minutes before the game, Cam Reddish had been ruled out with an illness. Tre Jones suffered an injury eight minutes in. All of a sudden, Duke was without two of its stars, and Syracuse took full advantage. In overtime, Syracuse (12-5, 3-1 Atlantic Coast) took complete control, stunning top-ranked Duke (14-2, 3-1), 95-91, on Monday night.

Here are the superlatives from Syracuse’s monumental upset:

The Big Moment: Frank Howard’s breakaway steal

As the clock ticked under 2 minutes, Duke struggled to get the ball inside. Resorting to 3s, the Blue Devils struggled. Alex O’Connell tried passing to RJ Barrett, but Frank Howard stuck a hand out deflecting the ball into open space. The senior point guard raced after it alone, laying the ball off the backboard to give Syracuse a three-point lead late in overtime. It shifted momentum in the Orange’s favor, as Paschal Chukwu added two free throws after a Syracuse stop on the next possession, and gave enough insurance points for SU to hold onto the upset.

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Stud: Tyus Battle

If there was any game Syracuse needed Tyus Battle to step up, it was against No. 1 Duke. The junior guard was the most aggressive he had been all season, constantly attacking the hoop and drawing fouls. He made an off-balanced corner 3 before the shot clock expired and added multiple breakaway slam dunks. This wasn’t the Battle that had been playing the previous three ACC matchups. By half, he made all seven free throws and had 20 points. Battle picked up right where he left off in the second half. Every time Duke scored, it seemed to be answered on the other end from Battle. He finished with 32 points on 12-of-28 shooting, providing stability in a Syracuse offense that heated up and could not miss on Monday.

Dud: Marek Dolezaj

The game after Marek Dolezaj was constantly attacked inside the paint by Georgia Tech, he barely played against Duke. While he started for the Orange, Dolezaj quickly picked up three personal fouls. He would barely play the rest of the way, as Paschal Chukwu became the difference maker down low for Syracuse. Dolezaj finished with no points in 12 minutes and Syracuse was outscored by seven when he was on the floor.

Highlight: Elijah Hughes’ buzzer-beating 3

With 2.7 seconds remaining in the first half, Elijah Hughes caught the inbounds and chucked a near-half-court shot. Cameron Indoor Stadium quieted down as the ball soared through the air and landed in the hoop. Instead of his signature guitar dance, Hughes just stood there, laughing as his team ran over to him. There was no hotter shooter in the first half of Monday’s matchup with Duke than Hughes, who finished the frame with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 80 percent from 3.

Lowlight: Tyus Battle misses transition alley-oop

RJ Barrett’s drive to the hoop was swatted away by center Paschal Chukwu, starting a fast break for Syracuse. The Orange trailed, 75-72, and both Frank Howard and Tyus Battle raced toward the hoop, with a 2-on-1 opportunity. Howard lobbed the ball to Battle, but it was a little strong and Battle caught the ball and was blocked by the rim. SU head coach Jim Boeheim called Howard after the play, seemingly frustrated that the outcome didn’t result in a basket. It was an opportunity to shift momentum inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, and cut the Blue Devils lead to just one. But, it came up just short.

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