Syracuse Dominates Georgia Tech for First ACC Win

By Jonah Karp

CitrusTV Basketball Reporter

Atlanta, GA—In what was easily its best performance of the season, Syracuse (5-4, 1-1) steamrolled Georgia Tech (4-3, 1-1) 97-63. In their first conference victory of the year, the Orange put up the most points (97) and the largest margin of victory (34) against an ACC opponent in a regulation game.

The offensive explosion was led by Elijah Hughes, who posted a career-high 33 points, 26 in the first half (sixth-most in Syracuse history).
“I saw the first three go in, and I felt good after that,” Hughes said. “You ever go to a lake and throw rocks in the ocean? You just can’t miss.”

Buddy Boeheim posted a career-best as well with 26 points, including scoring the first 11 for Syracuse after halftime. Howard Washington had a career-high eight assists.

“[Georgia Tech] would’ve come back in the game, but Buddy hit that streak,” Jim Boeheim explained following the victory. “Elijah got us going, and [Buddy] got us going in the second half. When [Howard’s] passing to guys making threes, it’s pretty easy to get an assist. Howard was very good tonight.”

The defense was led by Bourama Sidibe, who tallied a career-best five steals, more than he had in the first eight games combined.

“Bourama was good,” Boeheim emphasized. “He played defense, he made some steals, got some rebounds. He’s getting back to healthy. He was a big factor today.”

Michael Devoe, the leading scorer in the ACC (23.8 PPG), was held to just seven points, and only one in the first half for the Yellow Jackets. James Banks III entered the contest as the nation’s leader in blocks per game (4.33) and finished with zero rejections.

“We did a good job with Devoe,” Boeheim noted. “We just didn’t let him get comfortable. You do a good job on him, that’s a big part of your defense. We just wanted to be there every time he caught it.”

With the win, the Orange even the all-time series at six wins apiece. Because of finals, Syracuse has a week off before its next game, a matchup against Georgetown on the road Saturday
(11/14) at 1.

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