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.

In another embarrassment for the Orange, Buddy Boeheim, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim’s son, had his last name misspelled on his jersey. The 6-foot-5 freshman’s name was spelled Boheim.

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.

Tayler Persons led Ball State (1-2) with 21 points.

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.

Ryan Cline added 21 points for Purdue. Edwards and Cline each hit four of their team’s 13 3-pointers.

Justin Forrest had 14 points to lead Appalachian State (1-2).