SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team opened the season with a win over New Haven in Gerry McNamara's head coaching debut of his alma mater. Just days after his father's passing, McNamara coached Syracuse to a 74-58 win in front of a JMA Wireless Dome crowd of 23,283 in the season-opener.
Syracuse held New Haven to just 25.9% first half shooting and led by as many as 28 on the game but let off the gas in the second half to hold on for a 16-point victory.
Gavin Doty and Sadiq White led the way for Syracuse, each posting a double-double. Doty had 14 points and 13 rebounds while White had 14 point and 10 rebounds. Sixth-man Kiyan Anthony led Syracuse in scoring with 17 points on 5-12 shooting.
Orange guard Aiden Tobiason was out as he continues to work through a hamstring issue. Syracuse went with a starting five of Garwey Dual, Doty, Mark Morano, White and Luke Wilson.
Doty got things started for Syracuse with a three following an offensive rebound by White. Doty scored the Orange's first five points and Morano hit back-to-back threes as Syracuse led 12-0 at the first media timeout. Kiyan Anthony checked in first off the bench after the first stoppage in play. Ryan Moesch, Amarri Monroe and Abdramane Siby rounded out the nine-man rotation.
Anthony scored four quick points off the bench following a mid-range jumpshot and two free throws as the Orange extended its lead 18-0. New Haven started 0-11 from the floor before making its first shot – a Moussa Camara floater over the outstretched 7-foot-6 wingspan of Siby.
From there Doty and Monroe each scored on offensive rebounds and putbacks. Syracuse held a 26-12 lead with 6:33 left in the first half. New Haven would go on a 5-0 run after the Orange gave up two easy transition buckets. An unhappy McNamara called for his first timeout with just over six minutes left in the first half.
Without much resistance in its man defense, New Haven went 2-3 zone despite Orange sharpshooter Morano in the game. Anthony connected a corner three against the zone for nine first half points.
The Orange had a chance to extend the lead after a pair of defensive stands but an errant Moesch pass on the break and an out of control that ended in an Anthony missed three, McNamara reinserted Dual into the game.
Dual connected on a three and pushed Syracuse's lead to 22 as the Orange closed the half with a 39-17 advantage. Syracuse held a 27-17 edge on the glass with a 13-0 second chance points upper-hand.
Syracuse extended its lead out of the break with a Wilson bucket inside and four straight Doty free throws. Moesch replaced Dual two and a half minutes in. Then White had a raucous jam that drew cheers from the dome crowd.
New Haven once again went 2-3 zone with Morano in the game and the freshman from Slovenia made the Chargers pay with a three from the right wing for his third and final long ball of the night. Syracuse went up 51-25 at the first media timeout of the second half.
Anthony checked in and once again scored right away, this time on a crafty pump fake and finish. Teshaun Steel, a NEC All-Rookie Team member a season ago, responded with a three and New Haven head coach Ted Hotaling called timeout. The Chargers used 9-2 run as Syracuse led 55-34 at the second media timeout. A White slam off of a lob from Moesch stopped the run.
Midway through the second Moesch gambled on a steal which eventually led to a Bradley Ballinger three. A demonstrative McNamara signaled for Dual to head back into the game. A point guard conundrum brews.
From there, Monroe — also just checking back into the game — connected on a three as the defense sagged off after the timeout. New Haven cut the lead to 17 until another White dunk off a lob — this time from Dual — stopped the momentum.
The Chargers would cut the lead to as little 15 but wouldn't seriously threaten late. With 5:18 to play Tasman Goodrick made his first appearance. He's been battling with knee tendonitis in the early season. Iker Martinez also saw time late in the game with the Orange holding a double-digit lead.
Syracuse wasn't able to fully put New Haven away, consequential for NET purposes, but walked out with a double-digit win to start the season 1-0.
Final Box Score
Next Up
Syracuse returns home this Thursday to take on Central Connecticut. That games tips at 7 p.m. EST from the JMA Wireless Dome and is available for streaming on ACC Network Extra.
