C.J. Fair Scores 24 As Orange Win Maui Invitational

Syracuse holds off the Baylor Bears to earn its third Maui Invitational title.  Another Maui Invitational, another Syracuse Orange championship.

Just like their 1990 and 1998 predecessors, the 2013 Syracuse basketball team is leaving Maui with a tournament championship following a 74-67 victory over the No. 18 Baylor Bears.

When they needed him most, C.J. Fair stepped up and led the Orange to victory:

"I knew that the team was looking upon me to make plays, and once I seen a couple of my jumpers go in, that kind of gave me confidence and teammates confidence to keep getting me open and finding me," Fair said. "It was a team effort from there."

The senior forward finished with a game-high 24 points, including 14 in the second half, as Syracuse (7-0) edged Baylor (6-1) 74-67 to win its third Maui Invitational crown and remain undefeated all-time in Lahaina, Hawaii. Fair showcased a polished mid-range game, but also a superb all-around performance, drawing an offensive foul on a half-court trap and showing patience working around off-ball screens.

Jerami Grant, whop helped carry SU in the first half, finished with 19 points while Tyler Ennis garnered 11 points and nine assists.

Now a three-time Maui champion, Jim Boeheim sounds like someone who is done coming to town for "business trips."

"I’ve retired from Maui. That’s what I will tell you. The next time I come to Maui, I’ll have my golf clubs."

/cueretirementquestion

Happy Thanksgiving, Syracuse Fans!

P.S. - Baye Keita in that photo above…God bless you, Baye

P.S.S...

Most unlikely stat of all-time. Syracuse went 55-of-61 from the free throw line in Maui. Incredible.

— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) November 28, 2013