Syracuse University
5-2
Michigan
6-1
No. 17 Michigan Slights ‘Cuse, 68-65
12/2/2014 9:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cooney Thrives From Three
Trevor Cooney posted his best game of the season, netting a team leading 16 points with four buckets from three-point land and hitting all four of his attempts from the charity stripe.
Recording his second double-double of the season, Chris McCullough finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The freshman has finished with double-figures in all seven Syracuse's contests this season.
Joining Cooney and McCullough in double-digits was Rakeem Christmas with 15 points and Michael Gbinije with 10. The duo combined for 11 rebounds with Christmas reigning in six.
Freshman, Kaleb Joseph knocked down two of the Orange's six threes on the night and finished with nine points and seven boards at the point.
The Difference
Syracuse finished with a better percentage from the floor, hitting 50% of its shots compared to a 38.5% posting by the Wolverines but 11-of-25 baskets came from beyond the arc for Michigan with Syracuse netting six.
The Orange had less opportunities to score as well, finishing 24-of-48 from the floor while Michigan was 25-of-65. 19 turnovers committed by the Orange stunted Syracuse's chances and led to 20 points on the other end for the Wolverines. Michigan limited its mishaps to seven on the night.
Turnovers Prove Costly Down The Stretch
Both teams traded blows throughout the contest as there were eight tie scores and 18 lead changes in the game.
Neither team took a lead larger than six points until Syracuse committed five turnovers in a six possession span. Michigan capitalized on the Orange mistakes to take its largest lead of the night with a 10-3 run, bringing the score to 58-48 in favor of the Wolverines with 7:08 left to play.
Following the run Michigan hit a cold streak, netting just two of its next 10 shots. The Orange fed off of the Wolverine's struggles, surging back with an 11-3 run to contest Michigan's 61-59 lead with 3:01 to go. Cooney powered the 11-point burst with two buckets knocked down from beyond the arc.
Coming out of a Michigan timeout, Ricky Doyle fought for two points beneath the basket but Syracuse's big men, Christmas and McCullough hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the game at 63 with 56-seconds left in the game.
Both teams traded points down the stretch but a turnover by the Orange at the 15-second mark and one at the 4-second mark with Syracuse trailing, 66-65 took away any chance of a comeback as the Wolverines netted its free throws to make it a three-point game with four seconds left. A three of desperation from Joseph fell just short on the ensuing possession, giving Michigan the 68-65 victory.
'Cuse Welcomes St. John's To The Dome
The Orange's next non-conference test will be St. John's on Saturday, December 6 in the Carrier Dome at 5:15 p.m..
