Syracuse defeated Cornell 78-63 on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome. Here are some quick hits from the game:
- As the old adage goes, “it was a tale of two halves” Saturday afternoon in the JMA Wireless Dome. Cornell got out to an early lead which they held onto for 19 of the 20 minutes in the first half leading by as many as 11. But Syracuse climbed all the way back and took the lead at the 19:42 mark in the second half with a Chris Bell layup. Syracuse would not surrender the lead the rest of the way.
- Jim Boeheim didn’t attribute the comeback to his defense. “I thought Cornell was better than us today,” he said. “The only reason we won the game was they missed shots.” Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good.
- Cornell shot 44% in the first half. Their second half percentage dropped significantly, with an abysmal field goal percentage of 23% going just 10 for 42 from the field. Syracuse took advantage, and enjoyed as much as a 20-point lead when there was less than 8 minutes to go. “They just missed a lot of shots and let us back into the game,” said Boeheim.
- While the Orange may have started the first half off slow, they picked it up when it mattered most shooting an impressive 57% in the second half, with all five starters earning double digit point honors.
- Chris Bell played his most complete game in Orange, scoring 13 points and adding a career-high 5 rebounds. He had zero rebounds in a win over Monmouth. “We’re building chemistry,” said Bell. “We’re getting better every single day. Every practice we’re just getting better.”
- Leading the point brigade was Joe Girard with 19. 15 of those 19 points came in the first half which largely kept Syracuse within striking distance, allowing them to make halftime adjustments and ultimately put this one away. “I thought Joe kept us in there in the first half,” said Boeheim. “Once we started getting the right shots we were better.”
- Syracuse’s other three starters, Judah Mintz, Benny Williams and Jesse Edwards finished with 14, 12 and 11 points, respectfully. “We’ve got to take this into ACC play and continue to get wins.” said Williams.
» Related: Syracuse wins fifth straight, defeating Cornell
WHAT’S NEXT
ACC play begins this Tuesday as Syracuse hosts Pittsburgh at 9 p.m.
Pitt owns an identical record to the Orange (8-4, 1-0 ACC), with losses to West Virginia, Michigan, VCU and Vanderbilt. They opened ACC play with a 68-60 win over NC State. The ESPN BPI has Syracuse with a 57.9 percent chance to win this game.
POSTGAME
“The second half he must’ve felt better because he was the difference.” —Jim Boeheim on Chris Bell’s performance after intermission pic.twitter.com/qXCXSmc1ek
— SUJuice.com (@TheJuiceOnline) December 18, 2022
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