Syracuse tried the press. They played the free throw game. Elijah Hughes launched the best scoring game of his career, hitting a three from near the logo to get the Orange as close as nine in the second half. Nonetheless, SU’s 23-16 lead slipped away through transition defense debacles in the first. Foul trouble struck Marek Dolezaj, Bourama Sidibe and Hughes. SU’s bench, which fell on our radar today, could not contribute enough for them.
All this compounded with a 2-for-14 three-point shooting night for Syracuse’s starting guards and led the Oklahoma State Cowboys to a 86-72 victory.