Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Veterans Spur 2nd Half Comeback
11/17/2015 10:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Gbinije and Cooney play crucial roles down the stretch
Trevor Cooney says he and fellow graduate student Michael Gbinije have "been part of every type of basketball game you can think of in college," so being down by 11 points late in the first half and trailing for a good portion of the second was nothing new to the pair.
The two team leaders knew exactly how to respond to the situation and upped their game to help the Orange get past in-state rival St. Bonaventure 79-66 at the Carrier Dome on Tuesday night.
Gbinije, Cooney and freshman standout Tyler Lydon combined for 32 of Syracuse's final 39 points in the win. Gbinije scoring nine points during a 17-6 run which began at the 13:47 mark of the second half and ended with 'Cuse getting its first lead of the frame on a Cooney three-point play with 8:34 remaining.
"I think Trevor and Mike have to take over games for us until these other guys get there," said head coach Jim Boeheim. "I thought Mike was tremendous in the second half at getting to the basket and making plays. He did a really good job of when they went zone and he got Trevor an open three and I think he got Malachi [Richardson] as well. Overall I thought it was a really good second half."
Gbinije finished the night with a game-high 23 points, six assists and four steals. He had 13 points coming in the second half.
"Mike is one of the most talented guys on the floor every single night," Cooney said. "He went out there and he proved it tonight, really taking control of the game like he can."
In addition to Gbinije's efforts, Cooney chipped in 18 points of his own, six steals, a pair of assists and two boards. No plays were bigger than during a stretch where he scored in the lane, then posted a steal on the defensive end and found Lydon to drain a three that served as the dagger for the Bonnies.
"I know my role is to both score and facilitate," Gbinije said. "I'm looking to score every time I get an opportunity and try to make plays. When someone is open I just try to get them the ball in a position to score. We have a bunch of guys who can score, Malachi [Richardson] and Tyler [Lydon] were both there and of course Trevor came up with some big shots."
Cooney, Gbinje and the Orange will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 21 in the opener of the Battle 4 Atlantis, when Elon comes to the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
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The two team leaders knew exactly how to respond to the situation and upped their game to help the Orange get past in-state rival St. Bonaventure 79-66 at the Carrier Dome on Tuesday night.
Gbinije, Cooney and freshman standout Tyler Lydon combined for 32 of Syracuse's final 39 points in the win. Gbinije scoring nine points during a 17-6 run which began at the 13:47 mark of the second half and ended with 'Cuse getting its first lead of the frame on a Cooney three-point play with 8:34 remaining.
"I think Trevor and Mike have to take over games for us until these other guys get there," said head coach Jim Boeheim. "I thought Mike was tremendous in the second half at getting to the basket and making plays. He did a really good job of when they went zone and he got Trevor an open three and I think he got Malachi [Richardson] as well. Overall I thought it was a really good second half."
Gbinije finished the night with a game-high 23 points, six assists and four steals. He had 13 points coming in the second half.
"Mike is one of the most talented guys on the floor every single night," Cooney said. "He went out there and he proved it tonight, really taking control of the game like he can."
In addition to Gbinije's efforts, Cooney chipped in 18 points of his own, six steals, a pair of assists and two boards. No plays were bigger than during a stretch where he scored in the lane, then posted a steal on the defensive end and found Lydon to drain a three that served as the dagger for the Bonnies.
"I know my role is to both score and facilitate," Gbinije said. "I'm looking to score every time I get an opportunity and try to make plays. When someone is open I just try to get them the ball in a position to score. We have a bunch of guys who can score, Malachi [Richardson] and Tyler [Lydon] were both there and of course Trevor came up with some big shots."
Cooney, Gbinje and the Orange will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 21 in the opener of the Battle 4 Atlantis, when Elon comes to the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
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