What Georgia Tech players said after the loss to Syracuse

Georgia Tech’s Josh Okogie passes the ball in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, March 4, 2017. Syracuse won 90-61. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi)

Georgia Tech’s Josh Okogie passes the ball in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, March 4, 2017. Syracuse won 90-61. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi)

Post-game comments from Georgia Tech cener Ben Lammers, guard Josh Okogie and forward Quinton Stephens following the Yellow Jackets’ 90-61 loss to Syracuse Saturday in Syracuse, N.Y.

Ben Lammers

On Syracuse’s defensive changes:

“They might have tried to cut off the high post a little bit for some of the guys flashing, but other than that, they just really played solid defense. We weren’t quite able to crack it in the way we did in the other game.”

On the 9-0 run to start the second half:

“I think we knew we had to come out strong, so we started off, we punched them first in the second half and then, unfortunately, they called that timeout there, they re-grouped a little bit and then, once they went on a run, we weren’t able to answer it.”

Josh Okogie

“We didn’t do a good job, especially myself, on getting back on defense and stopping those early 3’s. that’s what kind of got them going.”

On Tyus Battle:

“He hit a lot of open 3’s. That’s what he does. He’s a really good shooter. He likes to score off the dribble. He was able to knock down those open 3’s and that’s what kind of got him going. I think he hit like three 3’s in the first four minutes. It just got him going.”

Quinton Stephens

“I think we let them get their juices flowing really early in the game just with our transition defense. We were going back and forth, we had our run, we got back within four, I would say, had possessions back and forth, but once you’ve got the guys feeling hot, on their home court, senior night, it’s kind of tough.”

On playing Pitt in the ACC tournament:

“It’s another Super Bowl for us. We saw our last game against Pitt as a Super Bowl. We knew it was a must win. This is even more of a must win to get to where we want to go. We’re locked in.”