A quick take on Syracuse’s 101-90 double-overtime loss against Florida State on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee:
WHAT HAPPENED: After Tyus Battle’s pair of free throws pulled Syracuse to within 88-84 with 3:17 left in double overtime, CJ Walker made a pair of free throws, and Braian Angola followed with a 3-pointer to push the Seminoles’ lead to nine. That would prove to be insurmountable as the Orange lost its four straight game, and one that it badly needed for its NCAA resume. The Orange was propelled into overtime by Tyus Battle’s 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left in overtime, and Syracuse actually had a chance to win it in the first overtime, but Oshae Brissett missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
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ANALYSIS: Syracuse displayed plenty of fight on the road, clawing back from a 10-point halftime deficit, and led by as many as seven points in the second half. But depth became an issue for the Orange as time went on, with three players (Paschual Chukwu, Matt Moyer and Frank Howard) all fouling out, leaving Syracuse without many offensive options. Things got so desperate, Jim Boeheim turned to walk-on Braedon Bayer in the second overtime (who nearly drew a charge) in SU’s first multi-overtime game since the famed Six Overtime game against Connecticut in the 2009 Big East Tournament.
HERO: The loss wasted Battle’s best offensive efforts of his career, as he scored 37 points including 10-13 from the line. He did, however, go just 11-27 from the field. Christ Koumadje led FSU with 23 points and eight rebounds, though Boeheim went with a “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy for the big man, who struggles from the free throw line (5-10 on the afternoon). Angola chipped in 24 points, hitting four 3-pointers.
ZERO: Brissett went 3-13 from the field for 14 points.
WHAT’S NEXT: Syracuse returns home to face Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 9 p.m. TV: ACC Network Extra.
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