Tyus Battle

The Syracuse Orange (2-0) were certainly tested by last year’s MAAC champions, Iona Gaels (0-2), but grabbed their second win 71-62.

Whereas Syracuse was able to pull away in their season opener against Cornell, that was not the case on Nov. 14. Leading 32-28 at halftime, Iona kept themselves in the game with scrappy play. Their matchup zone defense posed problems for the Syracuse side, which turned the ball over 15 times.

The top seeded Syracuse men’s basketball team (19-14) beat UNC Greensboro, 90-77, in the first round of the NIT Tournament on Wednesday. Syracuse was in control from the start, taking a quick 7-2 lead and not looking back.

John Gillon hesitated a split second before dribbling up the court for Syracuse’s final possession against Duke on Wednesday night.

With the score tied at 75 and eight seconds remaining in regulation, Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard missed a jumper that would have given his team a late lead. Syracuse forward Tyler Lydon corralled the rebound and kicked the ball out to guard Tyus Battle, who swung it cross court to Gillon.

On New Year’s Day, Boston College picked apart Syracuse’s 2-3 zone and cruised to a 15-point victory in its ACC opener. When the teams met again on Saturday afternoon, the roles were reversed.

The Orange (11-7, 3-2 ACC) locked down Boston College at the Carrier Dome, forcing 20 turnovers and registering 11 steals. The Eagles (9-9, 2-3 ACC) shot just 39.6 percent from the field and the Orange pulled away early in the second half, coasting to a 76-53 victory. SU has now won three of its last four.