Syracuse Orange Stumble at State Farm Center Against Illinois Fighting Illini
In a challenging encounter at the State Farm Center, the Syracuse Orange faced off against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The final score read 73-44 in favor of the home team, leaving Syracuse with a somber tally for this game. The Fighting Illini's victory was marked by a robust offensive and defensive performance.
The Syracuse Orange entered the second half with 23 points but could only add 21 more to their total, ending with 44 points. Despite their efforts, they struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game. The team's field goal percentage was a modest 28 percent from an attempted 54 shots. From beyond the arc, they managed to convert five out of 17 attempts, rounding out to a three-point percentage of approximately 29 percent.
On two-point attempts, Syracuse made just ten out of 37 shots resulting in an underwhelming shooting percentage of about 27 percent. Their free throw performance also left room for improvement as they made nine out of seventeen attempts which is roughly a free throw percentage of about 53 percent.
Rebounding was one area where Syracuse showed some strength; they pulled down an impressive total of forty-two rebounds – thirty defensive and ten offensive ones. However, personal fouls were an issue for them as they committed twenty-two during the course of play which led to two foulouts and one ejection.
The Illinois Fighting Illini capitalized on turnovers scoring eighteen points off turnovers compared to just five by Syracuse. They also had twenty-one assists over eleven by Syracuse which reflects better ball movement and teamwork on their part.
Defensively speaking, both teams were almost neck-and-neck with blocks; however, Illinois edged out slightly with six blocks against five from Syracuse. Steals were another aspect where Illinois showed superiority by taking away seven steals while limiting Syracuse to three.
As fans look ahead after this tough loss for the Orange, attention turns toward their next challenge: an away game against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend on December third at noon Eastern Time (11 AM Central Time). This matchup will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 channel two hundred nine for fans wishing to follow along live as it unfolds.