NEW YORK — Three displays of emotion at three distinct points in time told the story of why this game was different: a primal scream from a slumping senior, a roar to the crowd from a humble swingman, a no-look pass by an enigmatic lottery pick.

Separately they are insignificant acts from just another conference tournament game. But together they comprise the imagery of a team regaining its swagger after watching a promising season start to crumble.

Just four days after its worst offensive performance in 50 years, Syracuse put forth its best offensive performance of the season in a 75-63 win over Seton Hall (15-18) in the second round of the Big East tournament on Wednesday afternoon in front of 20,057 in Madison Square Garden. The scoring was balanced, the turnovers limited and the confidence reborn as the No. 19 Orange (24-8) harkened back to its early-season form to advance to the quarterfinals.

Syracuse will take on Pittsburgh, the No. 4 seed, on Thursday at 2 p.m. in Madison Square Garden.

“We were out there having fun, smiling, making plays for each other,” SU point guard Michael Carter-Williams said. “I think we definitely got our mojo back.”

The mojo manifested itself first in the primal scream of a slumping senior — Brandon Triche. Mired in a dismal shooting stretch and awash with disappointment, Triche buried a 3-pointer from the left corner in the opening minutes that snapped him out of a six-week funk.

The player defined by stoicism suddenly let loose, bellowing with equal parts excitement and relief following a dismal stretch in which he shot 8-for-51 from beyond the arc. He watched his first shot swish through and then made five more, finishing with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting.

“I haven’t made a 3-pointer in like a month,” Triche said. “So I figured I’d celebrate a little bit.”

Next was C.J. Fair, the do-it-all forward who, at times, was the only reliable scorer for head coach Jim Boeheim. On Wednesday he received proper support, and Syracuse had three players score 15 or more points each for the second time since Feb. 10.

So when Fair’s 3-pointer from the right wing swished home on the third possession of the second half, it was his turn to rejoice. He spun toward the pro-Orange crowd, puffed out his chest and roared with delight.

That basket gave Syracuse a 39-34 lead only moments into the second half. The Orange never led in the first half, but it never trailed in the second.

“This was one of those games where, when our offense is clicking, everybody is getting their fair share, being in the right spots where Michael can find us,” Fair said. “Everybody made plays and contributed to this win.”

Overseeing it all was Carter-Williams, the sophomore point guard whose play can be both brilliant and boneheaded but who always serves as Syracuse’s barometer. On Wednesday he was outstanding, dishing out a tournament-record 14 assists while committing only one turnover.

He passed more and shot less, and the offense blossomed because of it. Carter-Williams reached double-digit assists for the first time since Feb. 20, and Syracuse improved to 11-0 in games where he does so.

He did not attempt a 3-point shot.

“Our offensive moment was the best it’s been probably all year,” Boeheim said. “We really moved the ball. Michael played, I think, his best game of the year. James kept us in it when weren’t playing well. And then Brandon and C.J. got going the second half.”

And on an afternoon like this, in the building that has become Syracuse’s second home, Carter-Williams capped off his team’s rebirth with a play worthy of replay. He fired a no-look pass over his left shoulder to hit Baye Moussa Keita in stride for a layup in the closing moments, putting an exclamation point on a performance that boosted a team in need of uplifting.

For the first time in a month, the locker room buzzed. For the first time in a month, the players looked happy. And for the first time in a month, Syracuse will be feared.

Three displays of emotion that show why this game was different.

Said Carter-Williams: “We’re just going to apply it to tomorrow.”

Published on March 13, 2013 at 4:49 pm

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