Cole Swider has 28 points as Boeheim’s Army wins TBT opener (final score, recap)

Syracuse, N.Y. — Cole Swider scored 28 points to lead Boeheim’s Army to a dominant win in its first game in The Basketball Tournament.

The group of Syracuse alumni thoroughly outplayed Hall In in an 82-52 win at Seton Hall’s Walsh Gymnasium.

The two teams will meet in the second game of a Best-of-3 series at Upstate Medical University Arena (formerly the War Memorial) at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Swider connected on 10 of 15 shots, even connecting on a falling 3-pointer in the fourth quarter as Boeheim Army rolled, never trailing after taking the lead midway through the first quarter.

Hall In, playing without expected star Isaiah Whitehead due to an injury, never looked like it could match Boeheim’s Army’s talent.

Hall In couldn’t match Swider, nor could it meet the athleticism of center Kaodirichi Akobundo-Ehiogu, one of four outside players to join Boeheim’s Army.

Akobundo-Ehiogu finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Veteran Eric Devendorf, playing just short of 40 years old, scored seven points.

Colby Rogers led Hall In with 19 points.

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Final: Boeheim’s Army 82, Hall In 52

Boeheim’s Army closes its TBT opener out on a floater by Ty Nichols.

Just a blowout win in Seton Hall’s gym. Hard to imagine the Hall In group rallying to win two in Syracuse.

Game 2 of the series is Thursday at the War Memorial. Cole Swider is the star in the first game, finishing with 28 points.

Boeheim’s Army 74, Hall In 45, Elam Ending

Both teams seem like they are going to be eager to get this one over as the game reaches the Elam Ending.

First to 82 wins the game.

Boeheim’s Army 64, Hall In 43, 7:05 left

While Cole Swider has been the best player on the floor, Eric Devendorf might be the most impressive.

Just short of 40 years old and well beyond playing full time, he’s scored 7 points.

The first real concern for Boeheim’s Army just cropped up as Tyson Walker had to leave the game rubbing his knee.

Probably unlikely he returns but he’ll be needed if Boeheim’s Army finishes this series in Syracuse and moves on.

Boeheim’s Army 61, Hall In 41, End of third

Eric Devendorf back in the game for Boeheim’s Army which is playing largely against the clock at this point. Will still need to score a little bit to reach the Elam Ending but the result feels like a foregone conclusion.

Cole Swider has a game-high 24 points. Terry Roberts leads Hall In with 16.

Boeheim’s Army 59, Hall In 40, 1:53 left in 3rd

Cole Swider hitting a ridiculous falling 3-pointer to lift his total to 24 points for the game. He is feeling it and Boeheim’s Army is rolling.

Boeheim’s Army 49, Hall In 33, 6:03 left in 3rd

Cole Swider up to 19 points as he buries three free throws after being fouled on a 3-pointer. It’s all Boeheim’s Army so far. The Seton Hall alumni don’t seem to have nearly enough firepower to get back into this unless Boeheim’s Army really lets go of the rope.

Halftime: Boeheim’s Army 44, Hall In 29

Cole Swider with a second-change baseline jumper at the buzzer to close the first half, a fitting moment for him.

Swider has been the most impressive finisher for Boeheim’s Army and has a game-high 16 points.

Ringers Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu and Tyson Walker have joined him as the most impactful players

.Boeheim’s Army’s offense is running through Walker’s ability to beat defenders, while Akobundu-Ehiogu (8 points, 9 rebounds) is dominating the glass and finishing a lot of high-percentage shots around the rim.

Boeheim’s Army 39, Hall In 29, 2:02 left in 2nd

Boeheim’s Army pushes its lead to double-digits as Cole Swider knocks down back-to-back 3-pointers from the top of the key. Probably a little bit of a danger zone for Hall In.

Boeheim’s Army 33, Hall In 22, 3:45 left in 2nd

Really balanced effort for Boeheim’s Army so far as Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Cole Swider and Elijah Hughes all have eight points.

Akobundu-Ehiogu is approaching a first-half double-double with 8 points and 8 rebounds. He is playing way above the rim in a game where he looks like the only player capable of reaching that air space.

Akobundu-Ehiogu could have had another dunk but Cole Swider was just late on a dump down. Right read. Needed to be a touch faster. A reminder that these teams haven’t practiced together prior to this.

Boeheim’s Army 27, Hall In 22, 6:23 left in 2nd

TBT on X: “HE’S BAAAAAAAAACK 🔥 Eric Devendorf hits a 3 for @BoeheimsArmy in his first game since winning TBT in 2021 🏆 https://t.co/5IzlNT6VSS” / X

Oh, now that’s fun. Eric Devendorf buries his first shot of TBT. He cans a corner 3. That’s a nostalgic moment.

Boeheim’s Army 21, Hall In 15, after first

Hall In has taken more than half its shots from behind the 3-point arc so far and has hit just enough to remain in contact. Terry Roberts has hit 3 of 5 for a game-high 9 points. Once Boeheim’s Army decides to close out his space it should be in good shape.

Cole Swider leads Boeheim’s Army with six points.

Boeheim’s Army already has 14 points in the paint and is doubling up Hall In on the boards.

Boeheim’s Army 15, Hall In 8, 2:12 left in first

A real display of athleticism from a couple of the Boeheim’s Army ringers.

Ty Nichols with a burst for a steal and a breakaway layup. Tyson Walker with his second blow-by basket in the early going.

This feels like a mismatch early.

Hall In 8, Boeheim’s Army 7, 4:32 left in first

Hall In gets a couple 3-pointers from Terry Roberts to take a lead. Buddy Boeheim misses a couple open ones. Both good looks. You know that’s not going to last.

Boeheim’s Army 7, Hall In 2, 6:10 remaining in first

Good opening possession for Boeheim’s Army. Tyson Walker burst past his defender with zero resistance. He missed a layup off the glass but it turned into an alley-oop to Kaodirichi Akobundo-Ehiogu.

Boeheim’s Army’s second basket comes just as easily with Elijah Hughes catching the ball on the wing and jogging to the basket unopposed.

Really terrible defense from Hall In on the opening three possessions.

Pre-game

Looks like no Wes Johnson or Chris McCullough for Boeheim’s Army tonight, per Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard’s Donna Ditota.

The Boeheim’s Army team features a number of players who played in the NBA recently including Cole Swider and Buddy Boeheim

Former No. 4 NBA Draft pick Wes Johnson be suiting up for Boeheim’s Army, as will veteran Eric Devendorf.

Hall In’s most memorable names include Isiah Whitehead and Al-Amir Dawes.

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