Gonzaga Gives Cuse Second-Straight Loss at Maui Invitational
Syracuse, N.Y.-- The 11th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Syracuse Orange convincingly Tuesday afternoon 76-57 on Day Two of the Maui Invitational. Poor shooting and rebounding plagued Syracuse in back-to-back games, resulting in their second-straight loss. Cuse will play their final game of the tournament tomorrow versus UCLA or Chaminade.
Judah Mintz’s game-high 22 points gives him 106 points over his first five games of the season, the most during that stretch since Carmelo Anthony in 2003. The Orange fought back multiple times throughout the contest, but Gonzaga took advantage of a +20 rebound margin and 25 second chance points.
The Zags set the tone scoring the first seven points of the game, emphasizing their gameplan to score close to the basket. Gonzaga took a 19-8 lead eight minutes into the contest, scoring 14 points in the paint and seven on the fast break. Guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. broke a near five-minute scoring drought that sparked the Orange connecting on four of their next five shots.
Towards the end of the frame, Syracuse went through another scoring drought until a JJ Starling floater to make it a 31-22 deficit with 3:33 to go. Gonzaga took a 39-25 lead into halftime with impressive play from forwards Graham Ike and Anton Watson.
Ike needed just 15 minutes to post a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Watson started the game going 5-5 from the floor with five boards. Gonzaga shared the rock with 10 assists compared to two for SU and had a 30-0 advantage with points in the paint.
Syracuse made adjustments to begin the second half, relying on their star guard to get them back into the game. Mintz scored 10 of the Orange’s 16 points coming out of the break to make a 10-point game.
Even though points were hard to come by, Cuse had back-to-back possessions with highlight reel plays. Off a Gonzaga turnover, Maliq Brown received a pass from Mintz at the rack for a contact dunk over Watson. On their next trip, Mintz made a silky reserve layup to make it a six-point Zaga lead. Gonzaga pulled away due to a 19-2 run over a six-minute stretch to get their third win of the year.
Syracuse shot 13 percent (3-24) from three and 20 percent (9-44) over their last two games. Chris Bell had a difficult shooting day, going 2-18 from the field and 1-10 from three. Justin Taylor is still looking for his first points in Hawaii, missing his last nine shots. Benny Williams did not sub in for Syracuse, making it the third game this season he has not appeared after his team-issued suspension to begin the year.
Gonzaga earns its first win against Syracuse in program history. The Zags lost to the Orange in the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and 2016.
Syracuse remains in the consolation bracket and will play their final game of the tournament on Thursday. It will be against the loser of UCLA and Chaminade with tip-off slated for 12 a.m. EST on ESPN2.
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