'Cuse Falls At #4 Duke, 73-54

Saturday, February 28

Durham, NC

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

18-11 (9-7)

Duke

26-3 (13-3)

Syracuse

Duke

2/28/2015 9:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Syracuse finished with four players scoring in double-figures

DURHAM, N.C. – Tyler Roberson, Michael Gbinije, Trevor Cooney and Rakeem Christmas all scored in double figures but their combined effort fell short as Syracuse (18-12, 9-8 ACC) fell to No. 4/5 Duke (27-3, 14-3 ACC), 73-54. Roberson finished just a rebound shy of his sixth double-double this season.

Roberson Leads The Way
For the first time in his career, Roberson led the Orange offense with 16 points on an efficient five-of-nine effort from the floor and a five-of-six night from the charity stripe. Much of his scoring success was a direct result of his nine rebounds, with six coming on the offensive end. He also tallied two assists and a steal on the night.

Cooney and Gbinije tallied 13 and 12 points respectively from the backcourt while combining to match Roberson on the boards with nine rebounds. After a quiet first half, Christmas was able to produce in the second half before fouling out with just under 10:00 to play. He finished the day with 11 points and five boards.

Duke Surges Late In The First
Neither team appeared as if it was going to take control of the game in the opening minutes of the game as there were four lead changes, three tie scores and 19 combined turnovers in the game. Roberson was the leader for the Orange out of the gate, netting nine of Syracuse's opening 16 points but with just over 10:00 to play in the half, Duke used a 16-5 burst of scoring to take a 26-18 lead with 5:07 to play.

Down eight, Syracuse wasn't able to slow down the Blue Devils in the closing minutes as Duke outscored 'Cuse, 8-4, in the final five minutes of play to own a 34-25 lead heading into the locker room. Gbinije and Cooney matched Roberson's nine points in the half and tallied six rebounds. Together, Syracuse's backcourt - Gbinje, Cooney and Kaleb Joseph - fought on defense to grab six steals.

Duke's defense was able to keep Syracuse at bay but a solid 6-of-9 effort from the free throw line kept 'Cuse within striking distance at the half.

'Cuse Can't Keep Up In The Second
The Blue Devils picked up right where they left off, adding onto their lead until Jahlil Okafor created Christmas' fifth foul and added a free throw to take a 20-point lead with just under 10:00 to play.

Syracuse was never able to recover as Duke held its large margin, defeating the Orange 73-54.