Paschal Chukwu’s strong defense and efficient free throw shooting resulted in a Syracuse basketball win over Eastern Michigan. ITLH breaks it down.
On a night where four Syracuse basketball players had double-digit scoring, it was Paschal Chukwu‘s consistent efforts on both ends of the floor that led Syracuse to their 11th win of the season.
Before Tyus Battle took over in the second half, it was Chukwu’s strong defensive play that prevented Eastern Michigan from upsetting the Orange. Let’s take a look at how things developed:
First Half:
After hitting just 5-21 field goals in the first half, Syracuse basketball found themselves tied at 24 thanks to phenomenal defense and awe-inspiring free throw shooting.
Defense keeps things close early
Despite hitting an embarrassing 23.8 percent of their shots in the first half, Syracuse’s defense was able to keep the game knotted at 24 after the first twenty minutes.
Paschal Chukwu’s four blocks and Frank Howard’s three steals gave Syracuse plenty of opportunities to build a lead in the first frame. However, the Orange hit just 2-12 three-point attempts in the first frame and were extremely lucky to be tied at the half.
Syracuse converts from the line
The Orange recognized their shooting woes early and decided to earn points the hard way in the late stages of the first half. Over the first twenty minutes, Battle and Oshae Brissett went a combined 7/9 from the free throw line. Chukwu, who entered the game shooting less than 50% from the free throw line, hit a shocking 5/6 in the first half.
Although the Orange made just five field goals in the first half, Syracuse’ defense and strong free throw shooting kept them in a game that shouldn’t have been close.
Second Half:
Syracuse keeps converting from the line
Less than 30 seconds into the second half, after forcing Eastern Michigan to turn over the ball for the 10th time, Brissett drove to the basket, got fouled, and hit two more free throws with ease. Less than two minutes into the half, Chukwu was sent to the line, hit two more free throws, and was suddenly a shocking 7/8 from the line. After struggling to find the bottom of the basket in the first half, Syracuse found themselves up 33-26 four minutes into the second frame thanks to strong free throw shooting.
Tyus Battle finds his stride
From the 14:07 mark to the 11:30 mark of the second half, Battle went 4/4, including a pair of three-pointers. After going 0-5 from three-point land in the first half, Battle was able to finally reward his phenomenal defensive play on the offensive end.
Chukwu keeps converting from the line
With 9:37 left in the game, Chukwu was once again sent to the line, and with ease, poured in his eighth and ninth free throws of the game.
By the numbers
Collectively, Syracuse’ defense combined for eight blocks, five of which came from Chukwu. Syracuse combined for nine steals, four of which came from Howard.
Next: Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History
Nine of Chukwu’s career-high 15 points came from the free throw line, something no one saw coming. Syracuse’ defense forced 14 Eastern Michigan turnovers in the win. The Orange limited EMU to 38.5% shooting from the field in the win.