Late Rutgers Rally Hands Syracuse its First Loss
Rutgers used a 11-0 run late in the second half to push past Syracuse as the Orange lost their first game of the season to the 21st ranked Scarlet Knights 79-69 in Piscataway. Syracuse held a lead with 5:40 left to play when Rutgers made their surge, aided by poor shot selection by Syracuse.
Syracuse was up and down offensively all game, struggling to score for stretches and missing open looks from the outside. They were good attacking the basket, especially in the second half. That was what allowed them to make a run and take the lead. But they were scoreless for nearly four minutes after that and Rutgers took advantage.
The first half saw both teams struggle to shoot the ball. Rutgers got out to a double digit lead on a few occasions, but Syracuse continued to battle back. A Joe Girard three at the end of the first half, his lone made basket in the game, trimmed the lead to four entering halftime.
The Rutgers lead swung between one and nine points throughout much of the second half until Syracuse went on an 8-2 run to grab a three point lead. Syracuse attacked the basket during that run as six of their points came off of layups or dunks. Syracuse settled for three pointers or turned the ball over during the next three minute stretch when Rutgers went on their run.
Alan Griffin led Syracuse with 20 points, but shot just 7-18 from the floor and 2-9 from beyond the arc. Dolezaj and Guerrier were Syracuse's most efficient players offensively, combining to make 12 of 20 shots and scoring 32 points. Guerrier was 3-5 from beyond the arc.
The rest of the team outside of those three shot just 25% from the floor while making only two of their 12 three pointers. That includes Joe Girard, who had another awful shooting night at just 1-8 from the floor. He did dish out six assists to just two turnovers, however.
Kadary Richmond shot just 1-5 for six points, but added seven assists, five steals and three rebounds. He is making a strong case to stay in the starting lineup when Buddy Boeheim comes back.
Syracuse shot 41.4% from the floor overall while Rutgers made 48.3% of their shots, including nine three pointers. The Scarlet Knights dominated the glass in this one 43-26, but turned it over 17 times. Ron Harper Jr. torched Syracuse all game long, as the Orange failed to find an answer for him as he poured in 26 points on 9-13 shooting. He also had seven rebounds and two assists.
Syracuse was without starters Buddy Boeheim and Bourama Sidibe. Buddy has been in quarantine due to close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. He could return in their next game. Sidibe has a torn meniscus and is out for a few more weeks.
The loss drops Syracuse to 3-1 on the season. They are next in action at Boston College on Saturday. That game tips at 1:00 p.m eastern and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
