SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In just 35 seconds, Syracuse’s weakest position group lost its top-two players when centers Marek Dolezaj and Paschal Chukwu each fouled out.

With six minutes left, and the Orange clinging to a 60-58 lead, SU head coach Jim Boeheim signaled toward the bench for Bourama Sidibe, the only center left for Syracuse.

Sidibe didn’t score a point in 15 minutes, but his impact in the game’s final six minutes were significant.The 6-foot-10 big collected four rebounds in the final frame, including two on the offensive end. Sidibe made two huge plays — a block and charge — that helped swing momentum in Syracuse’s favor (10-4, 1-0 Atlantic Coast) in its conference-opening 72-62 win over Notre Dame (10-5, 0-2) on Saturday afternoon in Purcell Pavilion.

“It was little things down the stretch that really helped,” sophomore Oshae Brissett said of Sidibe’s play on Saturday.

Here’s a look at two plays by Sidibe that allowed the Orange to pull away and open up ACC play with a much-needed win.

Sidibe blocks Nate Laszewski to start a SU fast break

D.J. Harvey attempted a 3 from the right wing, but the ball bounced off the rim and five players, including Sidibe (35), battled for the rebound. It landed in the hands of Notre Dame’s Nate Laszewski (14), who went back up with it.

The Fighting Irish took advantage of SU on the offensive boards all game. While they didn’t beat SU in rebounding numbers, Notre Dame had seven second-chance points. Harvey’s shot was another opportunity for UND to pull within three of the Orange.

Sidibe slid over and positioned himself between Laszewski and the basket, waiting for the forward to shoot. As soon as he rose, Sidibe timed it perfectly and blocked the ball into the hands of Brissett, who started a fast break for the Orange.

Sidibe draws a charge off of D.J. Harvey

On the very next Notre Dame possession, a John Mooney (33) jumper from the free-throw line hit off the rim and Juwan Durham (11) tapped it back out to the 6-foot-9 big man for a second chance opportunity. Sidibe, who had closed out Mooney, returned back to protecting the paint.

The ball found Harvey (5), who used a quick sidestep to gain an edge on Brissett (11). As Harvey drove into the paint, Sidibe stood tall and put his hands up. Harvey trucked right through the Syracuse center and was called for a charge, giving possession to the Orange.

Twice Notre Dame had an opportunity to cut the Syracuse lead to a one-possession game, but failed to do so because of Sidibe. After Sidibe’s block and charge, SU shut down the Fighting Irish, a team that scored just four points in the closing four-and-a-half minutes.

“Bourama made two of the biggest plays of the game,” Boeheim said.

Published on January 7, 2019 at 3:28 pm

Contact Charlie: csdistur@syr.edu | @charliedisturco