Sunday evening, Syracuse put together a big second half performance en route to a 75-60 home win over Drexel. The Orange (2-0) held a 43-19 edge after halftime to build their largest lead at 75-52 before the Dragons (0-1) scored the last eight points of the night.
SU got the first eight points after the break to turn a 33-32 deficit into a seven-point lead. They were able to keep the guests at arm’s length until putting together an 18-2 run starting with nine minutes remaining to blow the game open. Buddy Boeheim had the first eight Orange points and ten overall in the burst.
SU’s defense was key in the second half, collecting 11 steals and forcing 12 turnovers overall in the second session. The Orange forced 20 turnovers in the game.
Drexel was able to hang around the first half thanks to some sizzling perimeter shooting. Mate Okros started off the game on fire, making his first four shots, including three from beyond the arc, in the first seven minutes of the contest. The Dragons went 7-for-17 from long range as a team in the opening half, but were a much more mortal 3-of-10 after the break.
Syracuse shot the ball well in the game, hitting 55.6 percent of their shots from the field and 63 percent in the second half. The Orange were trouble from deep again, making half of their threes in the game.
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For the second straight game, Joe Girard III did not miss from behind the arc, adding three more threes to his early season start of eight straight made triples.
Buddy Boeheim paced four players in double figures, finishing with 23 points. Jimmy Boeheim had 14 points while Girard and Cole Swider each chipped in with 11 points.
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