Well that was something, Syracuse survived against a Bryant team that was picked to finish third in the Northeast Conference. Be honest how many of you knew that was a conference? Anyways, the Bulldogs earned some respect after that near upset.
Bryant controlled the game from the get go and scored 51 points in the first half. The Bulldogs were on fire from deep led by JUCO All-American transfer Chris Childs who led Bryant with 18 points (5-9 from 3pt).
Syracuse, on the other hand, struggled in the first half. Bryant’s up tempo pace and aggressiveness in transition threw the zone defense for a loop. Bryant moved the ball well and found open looks and it left the SU defense scrambling trying to catch up. It also didn’t help that Bourama Sidibe played all of four minutes before an early first half exit… he did not return.
Not much changed in the second half, Bryant continued to play fast and hit from deep. Syracuse went on a 12-2 run to get back into striking distance at the under 12 media timeout. The game was back and forth from there, but Buddy Boeheim and Quincy Guerrier stepped up in a big way for SU.
Alan Griffin’s Sportscenter Top 10-esque play sparked a late SU comeback.
Syracuse took an 83-82 lead with 22 seconds left in the game and held on by the skin of its teeth for an 85-84 win over Bryant.
Buddy Boeheim led all scorers with 23 points. SU had three others in double figures. Marek Dolezaj (23), Quincy Guerrier (15), Alan Griffin (14). The Orange move to 1-0 and play Niagara on December 3rd.
Be sure to tune in to Fizz Final tonight with John Eads and Ian Unsworth.
