Syracuse Turns the Tables on BC with a Dominating 76-53 Victory

Story by Jon Cerio

Photos by Jacqueline Mundry

SYRACUSE, N.Y. --  Sometimes the sequel is better than the original – at least, if you’re an Orange fan.   Syracuse flipped the script on the Boston College Eagles, putting a beating on them in its first rematch of the young ACC season, 76-53 at the Carrier Dome, Saturday. BC had torched the Orange 96-81 on New Year's Day in Chestnut Hill. 

Tyus Battle led all scorers this time with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting.  After giving up too many easy baskets in a loss at Virginia Tech on Tuesday, Syracuse was aggressive again on defense, coming up with eleven steals as part of 20 BC turnovers in the contest.

“You know, it is all defense,” Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said.  “For us it was in the first half, it was strictly just the defensive effort.”

Some Like it Hot

Taurean Thompson got things rolling for the Orange early on.  In the first 2:25, he scored the Orange’s first six points, on his way to ten points and three rebounds for the game.

Syracuse was showing intensity from the early going, and finding the open man for good looks.

“Just the intensity, the effort, aggression,” Boeheim said.  “Being more aggressive, more activity.”

Deep Impact

Eagles' freshman Ky Bowman also showed aggression from the get-go, looking to return to form against an Orange team he torched for 30 points on 7-8 from deep New Years Day in Boston. 

Saturday’s game proved to be a different story.  Bowman was responsible for five BC turnovers and was 1-4 from deep in the first half.  He ended up with only three points in the game.

Jerome Robinson and A.J. Turner also played big roles in that drubbing the Eagles put on the Orange in the first game.  This time Syracuse limited them to nine and six points, respectively.

“They were much more aggressive defensively,” Boston College Head Coach Jim Christian said.  “They played passing lanes better. They did a better job of keeping them out of the sweet spots and then they were able to get out in transition.”

Turner hit one of his two 3s to answer Thompson’s early flurry at the 17:11 mark. 

Howard’s End (Game)

At 15:07, Frank Howard came in as the Orange ran a two-guard set.  John Gillon had three of his game-high six assists by the time Howard entered the game. 

There were some miscues – a bad pass from Howard in traffic, Gillon misjudging a fast break layup on the Orange’s next possession – but overall, the pair provided solid ball control and distribution on offense.  Battle and Andrew White III outperformed them in the steals department with three apiece.

“I thought Frank did a great job tonight,” Boeheim said.  “Our point guards struggled in the first half, but second half they bounced back and had eight points, nine assists.  I'll take that.”

“I’m not out there thinking too much, just playing off instincts and trying to make the right read,” Howard said.

As Good As It Gets

Connar Tava and White traded treys soon after, before Robinson and Bowman gave BC its first, and only, lead of the game on a jumper and triple.  It was 13-12 BC with 12:55 remaining in the half.

Battle Royale

Over the next 8:19, Syracuse dominated on a 14-2 run, opening up an eleven-point advantage.  Back-to-back baskets from Tyler Roberson, combined with three points from Lydon and six straight from Battle, who capped off the run with a Dome-rocking triple to give the Orange the 26-15 lead.

Defending (For) Your Life

At one point in the stretch, Syracuse’s quick zone reaction turned a potential BC three-pointer into a Ky Bowman turnover.  Soon after that, the pressure caused an Eagle air ball from deep.

The Orange has played three home games in 2017.   In each game it has showed a much higher defensive energy than present in the road losses to BC and Virginia Tech.

 “We had two great defensive games and then went to Virginia Tech and probably played one of our worst games,” Boeheim said.  “I think we are getting better, but we are still not there.  We have a lot of work to do.”

A Tale of Two Cities

Syracuse carried a 35-22 lead into the half.  The Eagles committed 15 first half turnovers, en route to 20 for the game.  Syracuse had 20 points off of those turnovers for the game.  The Orange shot 40 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.

“When we played at our place, we caught the ball and we were very patient and poised and found the open guy,” Christian said.  “There was probably some open guys and we didn’t have the same kind of poise and I give them credit for that.”

(Ad)Vantage Point

Syracuse started strong again in the second half, getting three straight inside baskets to open up a 19-point margin against the Eagles at 41-22 within the first two minutes of the half. Including the end of the first half, Syracuse was on an 11-0 run.  

Boston College answered back with back-to-back makes from Nik Popovic inside on a put-back, and Jerome Robinson from deep. Boeheim wanted a timeout.

After the huddle, White settled for a jumper in the lane after trying to dish it off.  Bowman was rejected on a BC fast break soon after by Lydon, who was fouled on the ensuing possession from deep.  He nailed all three shots, part of his 16 point, six rebound afternoon.

“We just have to come mentally prepared,” Lydon said.  “We just have to play together and I think we do a good job of that here. Then on the road, there are some tough environments and stuff like that.  We just need to focus on what the goal is and come out and play our game.”

A Jordan Chatman three at 12:38, followed by a Robinson layup, got the Eagles within 14 at 52-38 with 11:12 remaining.  That was the closest BC got the rest of the way.

Easy (Bench) Rider

The Orange responded with a 13-0 run, started with a Gillon-to-Battle three, and emphatically capped with a Lydon put-back slam to brought the crowd to its feet.  Syracuse was up 65-38 with 6:40 remaining.  There was little in doubt.

At the 2:07 mark, and SU up 26, Boeheim sent in the walk-ons.  On '90s Day in the Dome - where several Orange greats were remembered from the last decade of the past millennium – Adrian Autry Jr. entered onto the court where his father, now an SU assistant coach, starred at guard.

Revenge of the Fallen

Syracuse allowed eight threes in this game, half as many as they did less than two weeks ago in the loss to the Eagles.

“The numbers don’t lie in games we play good defense,” Lydon said.  “It is something we have to be aware of and hold each other accountable.”

The Day After Tomorrow

Syracuse improves to 11-7 on the year, 3-2 in ACC play.  Next up is a tough Monday night matchup in Chapel Hill with the Tar Heels of North Carolina at 7 p.m.  The 11^th ranked Tar Heels defeated 9^th ranked Florida State at home Saturday afternoon, 96-83.

“Against UNC, it’s a big game,” Battle said.  “I know that the crowd is going to be amazing there, so that will be a great one for us.”

Boston College drops to 9-9 on the year, 2-3 in the ACC.  The Eagles will try to regroup for their next game at home on Wednesday night against Virginia.  The tip for that game is set for 8 p.m.