Syracuse rallies, but falls to No. 23 Florida State in Double Overtime

By Jake Marsh

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — When Syracuse and Florida State met on the football field back in November, the Orange lost in heartbreaking fashion, missing a field goal in the final seconds.

On Saturday, the two schools met on the basketball court, and it was another thrilling finish that did not go SU’s way.

No. 23 Florida State beat Syracuse 101-90 in Double Overtime at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Fla.

Despite the loss, head coach Jim Boeheim acknowledges the tough beginning to SU’s ACC schedule.

“We had a tough start, for sure. Very tough. We started 0-4 one year and won 11 games, in a 16-team league,” he said. “So, we just have to get better, play a little better, and win a couple close games. We’ve lost three tough, close games in the four.”

As has been the case the majority of this season, Tyus Battle led the way for Syracuse, and the sophomore did it in style.

The New Jersey native registered a career-high 37 points against the Seminoles and he kept his head high when searching for what his team needs to develop.

“We need to keep improving, keep on fighting. It’s a long season,” Battle said. “This is a tough conference, so there’s no reason to give up any given night. We just have to get on a little run, and we will be fine.”

Three different Syracuse players fouled out in the game that lasted nearly three hours. Frank Howard, Matthew Moyer, and Paschal Chukwu were all forced to watch the final minutes from the Orange’s bench.

Oshae Brissett, a freshman, provided 14 points for the ‘Cuse. He said it’s frustrating to continuously lose tight games, especially on the road.

“You never want to lose these games,” the Canadian said. “We’ve been in a couple games where we’ve fought back and won, and fighting back and losing definitely stinks. But now that we know both sides, we’ve got to correct our mistakes from today and making those extra plays, those winning plays, that will help us win the game at the end.”

Brissett and the Orange have now lost four straight games in ACC play, three of which came on the road.

SU now returns home for two in a row, the first coming against longtime rival Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Be sure to stay connected on Twitter @CitrusTVSports and YouTube @CitrusTV for coverage on this week’s game between the Orange and Panthers.