‘Cuse Cruises Past Colgate, 78-43

Monday, December 22

Syracuse, N.Y.

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

(7-4)

Colgate

(3-9)

COLGATE

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

12/22/2014 8:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

A 43-13 score at the half sealed Colgate’s fate as the Orange powered by the Raiders, 78-43

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A 43-point effort in the first half by Syracuse (7-4) was too much to handle for Colgate (3-9) as the Orange went on to finish off the Raiders, 78-43. For the second game in a row, Syracuse benefitted from another balanced scoring performance as five players finishing in double-figures.

Orange Offense Too Hot To Handle
Trevor Cooney led the charge scoring 20 points in just 29 minutes of action. The performance was his third straight game recording 17 points or more. Rakeem Christmas was next in line in the box score with 16 points in the contest while also pulling down 11 boards for his third double-double this season.

Ron Patterson shot with a hot hand from the perimeter, knocking down three buckets from beyond the arc and five from the floor to tally 13 points in the game. The offensive output was the most he has recorded in a game and his first double-digit scoring game this season. Michael Gbinije continued his offensive success netting 11 with two from three-point range.

Firing Out Of The Gate
The Orange wasted no time in the first half, out-scoring the Colgate Raiders, 43-13 in the frame. The offensive leaders from the Villanova overtime thriller continued to thrive for the Orange. Cooney fueled the offense with 14 points. The offensive output was the most he's recorded in an opening half this season. Gbinije added eight points while Chris McCullough, B.J. Johnson, Christmas, Patterson and Tyler Roberson all joined in on the scoring effort for 'Cuse.

The Syracuse defense created havoc for the Raiders the entire stanza, creating 11 turnovers, seven steals, and converting 11 points off the Colgate miscues. The Orange wasn't fazed by the Raider defense as it completed the half without committing a turnover.

Colgate's bench was held scoreless and as a team, the Raiders only mustered five baskets, shooting 21% from the floor with one three. The only space it was able to produce its points was in the paint where Syracuse outscored Colgate, 18-8.

Finishing Off The Raiders
The Orange kept its foot on the gas in the second half as it held a lead as large as 43 points in the latter stanza. Syracuse continued to stifle the Raider offense as Syracuse's bench outscored Colgate 27-to-5 and the Orange committed just six turnovers in comparison to Colgate's 18. Syracuse tallied 10 steals on the night and recorded 16 points off turnovers and 19 second chance points to Colgate's nine.

Just Two Non-Conference Games To Go
Coming up, the Orange has its final two non-conference tests as it welcomes Long Beach State and Cornell to the Carrier Dome before the year's end. December 28 at 2:00 p.m., Syracuse will take on Long Beach State and Cornell will be the Orange's New Year's Eve foe at 6:00 p.m.

(12/22/2014) Cuse men's hoops tames Colgate