Defense Lifts Orange to 61-44 Win in Non-Conference Finale

Wednesday, December 31

Syracuse, N.Y.

6:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

(9-4)

Cornell

(6-7)

Cornell

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Defense Lifts Orange to 61-44 Win in Non-Conference Finale

12/31/2014 8:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Rakeem Christmas finishes one rebound shy of his third-straight double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds

Rakeem Christmas' 19 points and nine rebounds – just one board shy of his third-straight double-double – and 14 points from Trevor Cooney powered Syracuse (9-4) past Cornell (6-7) 61-44, at the Carrier Dome Wednesday night.

Dominant Down Low

The Orange owned a major advantage in the frontcourt over the Big Red, outscoring Cornell 34-20 in the paint.

In addition to Christmas' output, freshman forward Chris McCullough totaled six points and seven rebounds, five of which he hauled in during the first-eight minutes for the Orange.

First Half Defensive Battle

Syracuse limited the Big Red to 12 first half points, the fewest any opponent has scored against the Orange this season. The Orange zone held Cornell to just one made field goal in its first 15 attempts, including an 0-for-8 start from behind the arc. The Big Red did not score until the game was seven minutes old.

However, the Orange needed a three with seven seconds remaining in the half from Cooney to avoid its lowest first-half output of the season, finishing the frame with 23 and taking an 11-point lead into the locker room.

Second Half Surge

The Orange used a 24-12 run over the first eight minutes of the second half to seal its third-straight win. Eight points from Cooney and seven from Michael Gbinije highlighted the stretch.

Cooney finished the night 2-of-5 from long range. He's hit 16 of his last 32 (50-percent) from behind the arc over the last five games.

Kaleb Joseph scored a pair of buckets in the run as well. He finished with eight points and three assists.

Syracuse forced 18 Big Red turnovers, turning it into 22 'Cuse points, while Cornell scored just five points off Orange miscues.

The game was the 120th between the two schools, with Cornell being the second-most frequent opponent in program history. Syracuse's win pushed the all-time record to 89-31 in favor of the Orange.

Next Up: ACC Play

The Orange will open ACC play on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Virginia Tech, the first of a pair of road contests 'Cuse will play to open conference play. Tipoff with the Hokies is scheduled for Noon.