64 - 62 Syracuse held Duke to 27 percent shooting from three-point land and escaped with a 64-62 win on the road.
Syracuse and Duke certainly didn't get off to auspicious starts on the offensive end as it took 2 minutes and 12 seconds for either team to get points on the board. Both teams were in need of a win as Syracuse was 2-4 in the conference while Duke was on a two game slide. This was very much a battle on the defensive end as Syracuse shot 35.2 percent from the floor whereas Duke shot 37.1 percent.
Tyler Roberson had the play of the game early when Michael Gbinije drove the lane to throw "Plugged in Robie" a lob and Roberson responded by throwing down a left handed tomahawk.
Tyler Roberson throws down a left-handed jam off an assist from Michael Gbinije against Duke. https://t.co/alqqu2FI3x
— James Szuba (@JamesSzuba) January 19, 2016
Roberson was Syracuse's best player throughout the contest. He finished with 14 points and 20 rebounds, tying a school record with 12 offensive rebounds.
Trevor Cooney had a tough time shaking loose from Grayson Allen on the defensive end, but when he did he made Duke pay. He'd hit a big triple at the end of the half when Allen went under a ball screen to cut Duke's half-time lead to three.
Trevor Cooney hits a timely three for Syracuse to cut Duke's lead to three at the half. https://t.co/BWKsEKRigV
— James Szuba (@JamesSzuba) January 19, 2016
Allen responded with a three just before the half, but it was later waved off as the ball was still in his hands with 0.0 left on the game clock.
In the second half Syracuse took advantage on the offensive glass. What was a major weakness of Syracuse in the beginning of the season was arguably Syracuse's biggest strength in tonight's contest. The Orange had 49 rebounds, 26 being offensive.
Duke was able to make plays down the stretch but Syracuse answered the bell almost every time. Duke eventually would make a run and cut into the Syracuse lead but a stout 2-3 zone proved to be the difference in the contest. Syracuse held Duke to just 10-37 shooting from downtown.
The win moves Syracuse to 3-4 in the conference and 13-7 overall; it also moves Jim Boeheim past Jim Calhoun (again) on the all-time win list.
This was Syracuse's best win since beating Texas A&M in the Bahamas. The Orange will now travel to take on Virginia this Saturday. That game tips at noon and will air on ESPN.
Big Win Cuse!!!
— Tyler Ennis (@tdot_ennis) January 19, 2016
