Syracuse Downs Northeastern, Extends Win Streak to Four

From the moment the Orange and Northeastern tipped off, the outcome was never in doubt. SU trailed for a total of 20 seconds in this game after leaping ahead 7-0 to start the game. The Orange swarmed the Huskies from the jump with constant pressure and intensity. The best of this intensity came just before the half as Syracuse was up 11 on the back of a 9-0 run.

“The end of the last 12 minutes the first half we didn’t give them any shots we really played good defense,” said Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim. “We really changed the game around with our defense.”

Leading the way for Syracuse was sophomore forward Oshae Brissett who dominated with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Brissett got going, in part with the help of teammate Frank Howard who paced SU with 6 assists in the game.

“I think that if Frank was where we know he can be, we’d be a whole different team. This game would have never been close. You know none of these games would be close. He made every shot this summer, he was phenomenal in the fall right up until he got hurt. But we’re a long ways from where we would want to be right now, we’re not even close and it shows there’s just little things that happen out there,” said Coach Boeheim.

But, as SU turns the squads attention to Georgetown this coming weekend, the Orange knows what it needs to take the next step. Senior guard Frank Howard is the answer to Syracuse’s next step and he knows it.

“When I get my part fully going, really running, and me getting up and down the court so we can get into our press,” said Howard. “When we are attacking from four or five different angels, that is when we will make that jump. Today was a great step.”

The Orange looks to continue to make positive steps against former Big East rival Georgetown on Saturday. Tip off is set for 3:30 with a chance for SU to make a statement on national television.