San Diego State vs. Syracuse halftime score: Aztecs struggling, trail Orange 33-19

The Battle off the USS Midway has the Syracuse Orange leading the San Diego St. Aztecs 33-19, at the half. Weather has been an issue, and is part of the reason to why the Aztecs are trailing at the half

They are shooting into the sun, and the wind has picked up during the first half to be about 15 mph. Couple that with Syracuse's matchup zone defense, and that is why San Diego State is trailing by double-digits. San Diego State is shooting just 24 percent from the field and have made just 5 of 17 from the line.

The Aztecs have had trouble breaking the zone, and even the few times they have they have were able to get the ball from point blank range, the shots were not falling. Syracuse went on an 11-0 run within the first five minutes of the game, and led 17-4 during that stretch.

The closest that San Diego State would get would be nine points, after Chase Tapley converted a layup and then the following free throw.

The Syracuse defense has been huge as they forced 12 turnovers, have eight steals and six blocks. Those defensive plays led to some easy buckets for the Orange. Syracuse's C.J. Fair is leading all scorers with 11 points, and is shooting 4 of 9 from the field.

It also does not help San Diego State that Jamaal Franklin has just two points on 1 of 3 shooting, and did not convert his first points until 4:22 left in the game.

San Diego State will need to step up their defense, and with Syracuse now shooting into the wind and the sun, that should help the Aztecs out quite a bit. Their offense needs to continue to break the zone and get the ball down low, and that is something they have been able to do. Now, their offense needs to convert those buckets if they want to comeback and pull off the upset.