Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Connecticut finds answer for Syracuse
Jalen Adams and Alterique Gilbert scored 16 points each to lead Connecticut to a 83-76 upset of No. 15 Syracuse in the first game of the 2K Classic Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
In its first season under Dan Hurley, Connecticut improved to 3-0. The Huskies took the 95th alltime meeting between the schools, and are 39-56 against Syracuse.
Tarin Smith added 14 for the Huskies. Eric Cobb finished with 13, and Christian Vital had 11.
Syracuse dropped to 2-1 with its first loss of the season.
Jalen Carey led all scorers with 26. Tyus Battle had 16 points, and Elijah Hughes chipped in with 15.
Leading by four with 3 minutes, 38 seconds left, UConn outscored Syracuse 13-10 to end the game.
Hokies hold on: Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points for No. 16 Virginia Tech, which opened the Charleston Classic with a 73-64 victory over Ball State in Charleston, S.C.
The Hokies (2-0) watched a 16-point lead slip to 49-44 midway through the second half before going on a 14-4 run to take control.
Virginia Tech will play Northeastern, a 68-52 winner against Alabama, in Friday’s semifinals. It was Northeastern’s first victory against an SEC opponent in six tries.
Purdue rolls: Carsen Edwards had 25 points, 17 in the first half, as No. 23 Purdue powered past Appalachian State 92-70 at the Charleston Classic. The Boilermakers improved to 3-0. They took a 46-32 lead by halftime and gradually grew the lead to 26 down the stretch.