Syracuse, N.Y. -- While this year's version of the Syracuse men's basketball team will not tip-off for another four months at home, Orange fans watched a team full of their favorite former players win in Central New York on Thursday night at the OnCenter War Memorial.

'Boeheim's Army,' a team comprised with a mix of former players and non-SU alums, defeated 'Hall In,' a team representing Seton Hall to close out a best-of-three series in the opening round of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) 81-76.

Here's what you need to know.

-- Orange home games are held at the JMA Wireless Dome, on the campus of Syracuse University, but this game had a unique feel as the action took place at the OnCenter War Memorial, the home of the Syracuse Crunch, the local AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite the War Memorial serving as a smaller venue, thousands of Orange fans came to cheer on 'Boeheim's Army.'

--'Boeheim's Army' entered the game with just eight active players after the absence of former NBA player Wes Johnson, JaCorey Williams and Chris McCullough. All three were ruled out just hours before tip-off.

--The first quarter was a low-scoring affair with both teams tied at 13 apiece. The opening quarter featured the team's shooting a combined 2-for-18 from three-point range and 11-of-31 from the field. 

--After trailing for parts of the second quarter, Syracuse rallied and entered halftime with a 32-28 lead. 'Boeheim's Army's' scoring and rebounding leader was Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, who posted 10 points and five rebounds. 

--After three quarters, 'Boeheim's Army' held a 59-57 lead. Buddy Boeheim and Cole Swider combined for four three-point field goals to give the Orange a nine-point lead before the four minute mark. 

--The fourth quarter again featured an Elam Ending finish. 

'Boeheim’s Army' held a 73-64 lead going to the under four-minute mark. The Elam Ending held a target score of 81. That meant 'Hall In' needed 17 points before 'Boeheim’s Army' could get eight more if they wanted to complete a comeback victory. 

'Boeheim's Army' reached the target score first and advanced to the semifinal weekend matchup. 

--Swider and Tyson Walker finished as the leading scorers with 15 points. Walker also added 10 assists. Akobundu-Ehiogu finished the game with 14 points.

While 'Boeheim's Army' has advanced into the next round, other games have been taking place around the alumni bracket. 

'Boeheim's Army' will now face La Familia (Team Kentucky) as they closed out their opening round series with a 63-57 win on Wednesday night against The Ville (Team Louisville). Tip-off on Sunday at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ken.  is set for 2:00 p.m. ET. That semifinal is a winner-take-all game.

On the alumni side of the bracket, the reigning champions, the AfterShocks are up 1-0 in their best-of-three series. The AfterShocks are a group representing Wichita State.

The Kansas and Kansas State alumni have battled into a decisive game three in their series. Former Jayhawk Frank Mason helped erase a double-digit halftime deficit to even up the series. The final game is set for Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. 

Remember, the alumni champion will face the non-alumni champion for the ultimate $2 million prize.

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