After winning its first two games in Philadelphia, Boeheim’s Army matched up against Team Fancy in the Super 16 of The Basketball Tournament at LIU Brooklyn. The ertswhile Syracuse Orange players had their hands full with Team Fancy, but ultimately the Army won 65-61.
The former Syracuse guys didn’t get out to an auspicious start, falling behind 5-0 but the Army quickly fought back to tie game at six as the first half continued to be a back-and-forth affair. With just under one minute left in the first half, Eric Devendorf drilled a long two to give Boeheim’s Army a three point lead. Neither team scored on the ensuing possessions and the Army took a 28-25 lead into the break.
The second half wasn’t much different than the first as both teams traded stops and buckets, neither able to gain the upper hand. That is until about three-quarters of the way through the game when Devendorf honored back-to-back left-handed (@tm) layups, extending the lead to seven.
Team Fancy stayed within striking distance however, methodically dissecting the 2-3 zone for looks at the rim, forcing the refs to blow the whistle. Slowly but surely it cut into the lead and just like GaelNation, eventually took a 57-54 lead on a deep three.
But Syracuse players did as Syracuse players do and fought back. With under two minutes to go, Devendorf drove left, drew a foul and knocked down two to make it a one point game. The Army got a stop on the ensuing possession and Devendorf kicked to a wide open Brandon Triche in the corner for a three that gave the Orange a two point cushion.
After another defensive stop, Triche was fouled with 15.7 left on the clock. He went to the line where he knocked down both, making it a two possession game. Team Fancy then drove for an easy two to keep things interesting but Triche was fouled once again and made both. Team Fancy missed a three on the next possession and Boeheim’s Army secured the victory.
Boeheim’s Army now moves on to take on Team FOE on Sunday at noon. That game will also air on ESPN2.