Boeheim’s 26 lead Syracuse past Virginia Tech, 71-69

By Hank Kurz Jr.

BLACKSBURG, VA. (AP) >> Buddy Boeheim scored 26 points, including 18 in a row for Syracuse at one point, and the Orange stretched their winning streak to three with a 7169 victory at Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Boeheim hit six shots in a row during a blistering first-half display that turned a 14-10 deficit into a 28-19 lead for Syracuse (117, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Orange led by as many as 16 in the first half, but had to hang on as the Hokies got within a point three times in the final two minutes.

Nahiem Alleyne made five 3-pointers and scored 17 for the Hokies (13-5, 4-3), who called a timeout with 7.4 seconds left trailing 7069. Landers Nolley, who scored 13, missed a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key and Marek Dolezaj rebounded.

With 40 seconds left, Wabissa Bede was fouled while scoring, but he missed what would have been a game-tying free throw.

Elijah Hughes added 17 points and Dolezaj had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Orange.

Jalen Cone added 14 points, all in the first half, for the Hokies. BIG PICTURE Syracuse: Boeheim made six shots in a row during his 18-point string for the Orange, including three 3-pointers, one from about 25 feet. It was Boeheim who also hit a 3-pointer from about 30 feet to beat the shot clock in Syracuse’s overtime victory at Virginia a week earlier.

Virginia Tech: Freshman Jalen Cone didn’t appear to have any jitters in his first career start. He hit back-toback 3-pointers, the second with 16:32 left in the half, causing Orange coach Jim Boeheim to call a timeout. ... The Hokies had just seven turnovers, but two came immediately after they pulled within 55-53 with 8:32 remaining. UP NEXT Syracuse: The Orange are again on the road, playing at Notre Dame on Wednesday night.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies stay home and welcome North Carolina on Wednesday night.