‘Cuse Secures Much Needed Win, 105-57 over Eastern Michigan

By Marco Socci

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse (7-4, 0-0) came into Monday’s game with Eastern Michigan (6-5, 0-0) having lost four of its last six games, and the Orange picked up a much needed win with a 105-57 throttling of the Eagles.

“I think it was a little bit of a confidence booster,” said Freshman Guard Tyus Battle. “We know we’re a good team and we know we’re a new team, so I think everything is going to fall in line. It’s still pretty early in the season and it just matters how we finish at the end.”

Syracuse avoided making history as Jim Boeheim’s first ever team to lose five non-conference games with great shooting from everyone on the court. Tyus Battle led Syracuse with 18 points of the bench, but was hardly the only one contributing as all eight Orange rotation players scored in double-figures on the night.

Several Orange players snapped slumps on the night, including sophomore point guard Frank Howard, who scored a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists on 3 of 5 shooting from the field. That comes after shooting a putrid 2 of 20 from the field in his last three games.

Tyler Roberson also made an impact playing more than 20 minutes for the first time since November 11, when Syracuse lost to South Carolina in the Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational at the Barclay’s Center. Roberson made the most of his extra time on the court contributing 10 points to the winning effort, a substantial improvement over the total 12 points he’s scored in the teams past six games.

As a team Syracuse shot 59 percent from the floor on the night and 54 percent from beyond the arc. It was a welcomed sign for Jim Boeheim’s bunch as the team has failed to eclipse shooting 45 percent from the floor four times in its last six contests.

Overall, it seemed to be exactly what the doctor ordered for the ailing Syracuse offense, with the exception of one thing. Sophomore star Tyler Lydon, who led Syracuse wit h12 first half points, did not play the entire second half after landing awkwardly on his right ankle while grabbing a rebound in the first half. Lydon was diagnosed with a right achilles strain and his status is unknown for Wednesday’s game at the Carrier Dome against St. John’s.