Hot Shooting Sends ‘Cuse To 96-54 Win In Final Exhibition

Sunday, November 8

Syracuse, N.Y.

2:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Florida Southern (Exhibition)

Florida Southern

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

Hot Shooting Sends ‘Cuse To 96-54 Win In Final Exhibition

11/8/2015 4:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Syracuse men's basketball team shot a stellar 49.2 percent (31-of-63) from the floor against Division II Florida Southern in its final exhibition contest and defeated the Moccasins, 96-54, at the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse had six different players finish in double figures, led by freshman Malachi Richardson. The rookie forward contributed a team-high 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a 4-of-6 effort on 3-point attempts. Richardson added six rebouds.

The Orange exploded offensively in the early going and never looked back, jumping out to a 21-2 lead in the first nine minutes of play. Syracuse led by as many as 47 at one point before finishing the game with a 42-point victory.

The Orange forced 28 Florida Southern turnovers which resulted in 45 Syracuse points. The Orange accumulated 19 steals, including five from guard Michael Gbinije.

Reserve guard Kaleb Joseph had 11 of his 13 points in the first half. Joseph made his first four field goals, including three 3-pointers. Richardson scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half, including three jumpers from beyond the arc. Aided by strong first-half performances from both Joseph and Richardson, the Orange took a commanding 53-22 lead into the intermission.

"Malachi has been known as a shooter since the eighth grade. That's what he does. He's a very good shooter," head coach Jim Boeheim said. "He's playing well. He's moving well on defense, too."

Syracuse continued to spread the floor at the offensive end in the second half. Graduate students Trevor Cooney and Gbinije took advantage of the Moccasins with their three-point shooting and penetration to the basket. Cooney finished with 15 points, including 10 in the second half, while Gbinije had 14 total points.

Freshman Tyler Lydon and junior Tyler Roberson also had strong contests for the Orange, finishing with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Lydon netted nine of his 12 points in the second half and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

Six different Orange players converted 3-pointers and Syracuse was 14-of-29 (.483) on the afternoon.

Senior center DaJuan Coleman had a game-high seven rebounds.

Syracuse will officially begin its season on Friday, Nov. 13 when the team takes on Lehigh inside the Carrier Dome in a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.

Tickets are availabile through Cuse.com or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.