Orange Stifles Owls, 89-42

Friday, November 14

Syracuse, N.Y.

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

(1-0)

Kennesaw State

(0-1)

Kennesaw State

Syracuse

11/14/2014 8:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Five 'Cuse players finished scoring in double-figures with two recording double-doubles

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - In its first regular season contest of the 2014-15 season, Syracuse defeated the Kennesaw State Owls, 89-42. Rakeem Christmas finished with 21 points while Chris McCullough (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Tyler Roberson (10 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles.

BJ Johnson (19 points), Roberson and Christmas finished with career-best point totals. Trevor Cooney finished with 12 points, giving the Orange four double-digit scorers.

Defense Is The Best Offense
With the score 15-9 and Kennesaw State trailing Syracuse by six, the Orange began a 21-2 run to extend its lead to 36-11 with 1:30 left to go. The Owls managed to finish the half with a 5-0 run to trail Syracuse, 36-16.

Syracuse was the aggressor on both ends of the court in the first half, driving for 28 points in the paint and picking up 14 fast break points. The defense forced 16 turnovers and converted 14 points off the Kennesaw State mistakes. Rebounding well on both ends, the Orange finished the opening stanza with 15 offensive and 17 defensive rebounds for 32 total. Its offensive rebounding led to 16 second chance points.

McCullough and Johnson led the way to begin the game, with both scoring 11 points and reigning in six rebounds. Seven different players recorded steals for the Orange with five of them recording two.

Finishing Strong
The first half run was all Syracuse needed as it extended its lead to 30 with 8:26 left in the game. Syracuse's defense continued to stifle the Kennesaw State offense, allowing just 26 points in the latter half of the game.

After taking its 30-point lead, the Orange continued its surge, finishing the game outscoring the Owls 25-9 in the final 8:30 of play.

Christmas netted 17 of his 21 points in the half and corralled nine rebounds. Johnson continued to shoot with a hot hand, finishing second to Christmas on the team with 19 points and eight boards.

The Orange continued to attack the paint in the second half, recording another 22 points under the basket for 50 total in the game. Kennesaw State's 25 turnovers resulted in 25 points in favor of Syracuse and 10 more offensive rebounds led to 10 more second-chance points.

2K Classic Continues
On Sunday, November 16 the Orange will host Hampton in the Carrier Dome at 4:00 p.m.