Colgate missed their first dozen three-point attempts, then could not be stopped from long range, hitting 18-of-31 from deep the rest of the way, including one against the shot clock in the final minute to close out a 100-85 win at Syracuse Saturday night. The Orange (2-1) held a 17-2 lead before the game was five minutes old, then were buried in an avalanche of treys.
In snapping a 54-game losing streak and winning for the first time against SU since 1962, the Raiders (3-2) showed excellent discipline and patience, frequently passing up open shots in the paint to get looks from three. Their quick ball movement was too much for the Syracuse defense, beating them to create space for shooters repeatedly. Colgate logged 26 assists on their 32 field goals, 16 on threes, including on all 11 of their first half triples.
Things looked too easy for Syracuse in the opening minutes, as Joe Girard III keyed a 17-2 start with seven points and a pair of assists. Girard did not let off the gas all night, posting game highs of 27 points and eight assists, adding seven rebounds while burying 5-of-8 threes.
The Orange took a second 15-point lead at 23-8, but Colgate ripped off 11 straight points to pull within four shortly past the midpoint of the opening half. SU pushed the lead into double figures again, but the Raiders kept fighting back, eventually taking their first lead at 43-41 on a pair of free throws with 1:20 left in the first half. While they would tie the game, the hosts never led again.
With 5:15 left in the game and Colgate holding an 81-70 lead, Jesse Edwards was fouled and the review made it a flagrant-one. Edwards made both foul shots, then Jimmy Boeheim converted a three-point play for a five-point possession to bring Syracuse within 81-75. The quick comeback seemed to buoy the team and its fans.
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On the ensuing Raider possession, Buddy Boeheim was late to rotate on defense, pulling up on a closeout, then was caught flat-footed and beaten to a long rebound by Nelly Cummings, who passed to Tucker Richardson for an open three that reinstated a nine-point Colgate lead, taking the wind from the sails of the Orange and their home crowd.
Buddy Boeheim backed Girard’s offensive outburst with 19 points, 15 of them coming in the opening half. Jimmy Boeheim had a double-double, finishing with 11 points and ten boards, while Jesse Edwards added eight points, eight boards, and three blocks.
All eight Raiders who played scored at least seven points, paced by Jack Ferguson and Nelly Cummings, who each hit six threes. Ferguson piled up 25 points and Nelly 18 on his long-range bombs. Oliver Lynch-Daniels added 12 points, Tucker Richardson 11, and Jeff Woodward nine to go with ten rebounds.
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