NCAA Tourney: Syracuse Overpowers Gonzaga, Heads To Sweet Sixteen

Buffalo, NY, United States (AHN) – The Syracuse Orange built a double-digit lead in the first half and went on to blast the Gonzaga Bulldogs 87-65 in an NCAA Tourney second round game in Buffalo, N.Y.

Wes Johnson poured in 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while the Orange dropped in 12 three-pointers.

Syracuse sizzled from the field, with Andy Rautins chipping in 24 points on 7 of 13 shooting, and Brandon Triche adding 13 points.

Gonzaga was in the game for much of the first half, getting within 32-28 with just over three minutes left on a Steven Gray trey and a pair of free throws by Elias Harris.

Baskets from Rautins and Triche lifted the Orange lead back to double-digits, however, and Syracuse did not look back in advancing to the Sweet 16.

Elias Harris and Robert Sacre led Gonzaga with 24 and 17 points, respectively, but three other ‘Zags starters combined to shoot just 6 of 29 from the field.

Syracuse improved to 30-4, while Gonzaga ended its season 27-7.

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