The loss marks another missed opportunity for a quad 1 win this season for SU. The Orange are now 0-3 in quad 1 games. Syracuse has another chance to secure its first win in that quadrant on Monday when it hosts No. 7 Virginia. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. WAER’s coverage begins at 6:30 with McClurg Team Countdown to Tipoff.
With just under five minutes played in Syracuse men’s basketball’s matchup against Virginia Tech, Jesse Edwards knocked down a jumper to give SU a 10-9 lead. 25 seconds later, MJ Collins hit a layup to regain the lead for the Hokies. Virginia Tech never gave that lead up, and blew past Syracuse 85-70.
The Hokies relied on their three point shooting all night to earn the victory. After the first half, Virginia Tech led 52-33. The Hokies equaled the Orange’s point total on points from beyond the arc, as Virginia Tech hit 11 shots from three that half. Leading the way for V.A. Tech was Hunter Cattoor, who finished the half with 15 points and five three pointers. Collins also connected on a trio of triples in the first.
The second half saw less three point shooting from the Hokies, but more paint presence. Justyn Mutts fell two assists shy of a triple double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Grant Basile dominated the Orange all night. The Wright State transfer notched 25 points, which led all scorers. Despite the lack of threes, Cattoor finished the night with six triples, and jumped into 7th place for most three pointers in Virginia Tech history.
LISTEN: Virginia Tech guard Hunter Cattoor hit five three-pointers in his last game. The senior buried another triple early against Syracuse. @JohnDales_ was on the mic.
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Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said Mutts’ presence in the second half was a key reason as to why the Orange couldn’t start a comeback.
“He’s very good in the high post,” Boeheim said. “He was looking to get it low.”
As for Syracuse, Judah Mintz led the team in scoring with 21 points. The freshman was just three points shy of a career high. Maliq Brown was the other double-digit scorer for the Orange with 11 points. Brown made his first career start today in place of Benny Williams, who head coach Jim Boeheim said hasn’t been playing or practicing well.
LISTEN: Syracuse forward Maliq Brown averages more points off the bench per game than anyone else on the Orange. The freshman started against Virginia Tech and slammed a basket in the second half. @bainbridgec7 was on the mic.
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Boeheim said Mintz did everything he could do to help Syracuse attempt to get the win.
“I thought he did a great job,” Boeheim said. “Made some plays.”
The loss marks another missed opportunity for a quad 1 win this season for SU. The Orange are now 0-3 in quad 1 games. Syracuse has another chance to secure its first win in that quadrant on Monday when it hosts No. 7 Virginia. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. WAER’s coverage begins at 6:30 with McClurg Team Countdown to Tipoff.