Syracuse lost its first game without head coach Jim Boeheim.
The Jim Boeheim-less Syracuse Orange traveled to Washington DC to take on familiar foe, Georgetown. The NCAA's decision to begin Boeheim's nine game suspension immediately, this was Mike Hopkins' first time as the head coach spare the last 10.4 seconds of the infamous Duke game in 2013.
Georgetown got out to a quick led and never looked back in the first half. The Hoyas were exceptionally adept at defending the three point line, forcing Syracuse to dribble and take tough, contested threes. Tyler Roberson helped alleviate Syracuse's poor first half play by getting 10 points and six rebounds but was forced to sit in the first half with three fouls.
In the second half, Georgetown took a 20 point lead early but Syracuse would rally. The Orange were able to go on a run and eventually cut Georgetown's lead to six but never got within that lead. Syracuse forced turnovers late in the game with its press but Georgetown's early lead proved to be too much for the Orange to cut into. It was a spirited come from behind battle but Syracuse dug itself too deep a hole to climb out of.
Syracuse had no answer for senior big man Bradley Hayes. Hayes scored in a variety of ways inside that neither DaJuan Coleman or Tyler Lydon had an answer for. Syracuse once again gave up too many second chance points, giving up 14 offensive rebounds. Syracuse shot 81 percent from the free throw line, an improvement from Wednesday's performance against Wisconsin.
Michael Gbinije lead all scorers with 23 points while Tyler Roberson chipped in 15 of his own. Frank Howard offered steady play off the bench today by scoring four points, pulling down four rebounds while having an assist and a steal. Syracuse now moves to 6-2 on the season and will return home to play Colgate on Tuesday.
