Men's Basketball

No. 14 Buffalo's Balanced Offense Fuels Win Over Syracuse

WATCH: Tyus Battle Hammers Vicious Dunk For Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Despite four players scoring in double-digits, the Syracuse men's basketball team fell to No. 14/15 Buffalo, 72-63, Tuesday evening at the Carrier Dome. Buffalo remains undefeated on the season at 11-0 as the Orange move to 7-4. Frank Howard led the Orange, notching season-highs in nearly every statistical category including 13 points and a 3-of-5 performance from beyond the arc.
 
Elijah Hughes had a team-high 16 points followed by 11 from Tyus Battle. Oshae Brissett racked up 12 rebounds and 10 points for his third double-double of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Down 45-39 in the second half, Buffalo strung together back-to-back baskets holding Syracuse to only a one-point lead, 48-47. Jeremy Harris quickly connected on a three, giving Buffalo its first lead of the game, 50-48. Out of a timeout, Jalen Carey put one up in the paint tying the game at 50.
 
Buffalo and the Orange traded three-pointers, still tied, before Buffalo used an offensive rebound to put one back for the 55-53 lead.
 
The Bulls were able to shut down the Orange with a 10-point lead, its largest of the night, on an 8-0 run. In the two-minute long run, the Bulls shot 3-of-4 and saw five points come from CJ Massinburg.

FIRST HALF RECAP
Syracuse took its largest lead of the game, 20-11, on an 11-2 run that featured six points from Brissett. Buffalo responded, finally finding its range from three, almost erasing Syracuse's lead with three three-pointers.
 
Carey had his first basket of the night, pushing the Orange ahead, 29-24. Buffalo took advantage of a Syracuse turnover to knock down back-to-back baskets cutting their deficit to just one, 29-28. Syracuse was able to pull ahead for a four point lead at halftime, following a last second three from Howard.

UP NEXT
Syracuse plays its final game before a week off on Saturday, Dec. 22 against Arkansas State at 2 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Tickets can be purchased online at Cuse.com, by phone at 1-888-DOMETX and in person at Gate B at the Carrier Dome.