Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Orange Uses First-Half Run To Defeat BC
1/20/2015 9:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
All five starters scored in double figures in ACC triumph.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse (14-5, 5-1 ACC) used a 31-5 first-half run to overcome an early eight-point deficit and defeat Boston College (8-9, 0-5), 69-61, in the Carrier Dome.
'Cuse went on separate stretches of 11-0 and 14-0 within the final-12 minutes of the half to take a 35-17 lead into the locker room, while also limiting the Eagles to just eight points in the final 15 minutes of the period.
"I thought our defense was exceptional tonight, especially in the first half," said head coach Jim Boeheim.
Much of the first-half success came with Rakeem Christmas on the bench as the Syracuse star big man was limited with three first half fouls. However teammate Michael Gbinije carried the scoring load, netting 11 first-half points, saying afterwards that he did his 'best impression' of Christmas in his absence.
"He's a great scorer and rebounder, so with him out of the game I just tried to stay aggressive," Gbinije said.
Syracuse managed to finish the first half plus-11 points with their leading scorer on the bench.
Gbinije and freshman point guard Kaleb Joseph keyed the Orange streak with each contributing three first half assists.
Joseph finished the day with seven assists and his second-straight game in double figures with 10 points.
"I think I was a little bit more aggressive than I have been previously," Joseph said. "I just tried to take what the defense was giving me and get into the lane and make plays for myself and my teammates. I think when I become a threat to score it opens up passing lanes. If I'm not aggressive then I think guys can stay on my teammates and play off me a little bit, but if I'm looking to score then it opens up my teammates."
Next up for the Orange is a weekend matchup with Miami at the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday.
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'Cuse went on separate stretches of 11-0 and 14-0 within the final-12 minutes of the half to take a 35-17 lead into the locker room, while also limiting the Eagles to just eight points in the final 15 minutes of the period.
"I thought our defense was exceptional tonight, especially in the first half," said head coach Jim Boeheim.
Much of the first-half success came with Rakeem Christmas on the bench as the Syracuse star big man was limited with three first half fouls. However teammate Michael Gbinije carried the scoring load, netting 11 first-half points, saying afterwards that he did his 'best impression' of Christmas in his absence.
"He's a great scorer and rebounder, so with him out of the game I just tried to stay aggressive," Gbinije said.
Syracuse managed to finish the first half plus-11 points with their leading scorer on the bench.
Gbinije and freshman point guard Kaleb Joseph keyed the Orange streak with each contributing three first half assists.
Joseph finished the day with seven assists and his second-straight game in double figures with 10 points.
"I think I was a little bit more aggressive than I have been previously," Joseph said. "I just tried to take what the defense was giving me and get into the lane and make plays for myself and my teammates. I think when I become a threat to score it opens up passing lanes. If I'm not aggressive then I think guys can stay on my teammates and play off me a little bit, but if I'm looking to score then it opens up my teammates."
Next up for the Orange is a weekend matchup with Miami at the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday.
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