2013 NCAA Tournament: Syracuse Destroys Montana 81-34

March 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Brandon Triche (20) dunks against the Montana Grizzlies during the first half of the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Syracuse Orange defeated the Montana Grizzlies 81-34 in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Syracuse was in control. The  Montana Grizzlies had no business in this game, and how they managed a 13 seed will never be understood.

C.J. Fair, James Southerland, Rakeem Christmas, Michael Carter-Williams, and Brandon Triche enjoyed a forty minute scrimmage against the Montana Grizzlies at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The game was over at halftime, with The Orange leading Montana 38-15.  To put into perspective how poorly things went for Montana, Brandon Triche only trailed the Grizzlies by a score of 15-12 at the half. Triche finished as the games  leading scorer with 20 points.

Less than three minutes into the second half, Syracuse increased their lead to 44-15. Syracuse was too big, fast, and athletic for the Grizzlies to compete. Montana prolonged their doom by fouling early and often in the second half. Unfortunately, Syracuse was hitting from the free throw line as well as the floor.

By the time five minutes had passed in the second half, the Orange built the lead to 53-17.  Syracuse reserves got into the mix around the thirteen minute mark, which allowed Montana to nearly reach 20 points with 11:41 to play. At the ten minute mark  coach Jim Boeheim had all reserves in the game, and the scoring continued.

Syracuse moves on to face 12 seed Cal on Saturday. Montana finishes the year with a 25-7 record.