Three-Point Downpour Ends In Syracuse's Favor, 82-70

Saturday, December 21

Syracuse, N.Y.

6 PM

Syracuse University

7-5,1-1ACC

North Florida

7-7,0-0ASUN

North Florida

Syracuse

Three-Point Downpour Ends In Syracuse's Favor, 82-70

12/21/2019 8:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Five different players in double figures carried Syracuse (7-5) past a record-setting 3-point assault from North Florida (7-7), 82-70, Saturday night at the Carrier Dome.

DOUBLE-DIGIT DUTY
The Orange benefited from double-digit scoring efforts by Elijah Hughes (18), Marek Dolezaj (17), Buddy Boeheim (16), Joseph Girard III (14) and Quincy Guerrier (10).

It was the first time Syracuse had five player in double digits since a March 19, 2016 encounter with Dayton in the NCAA Tournament.

IT WAS RAINING 3-POINTERS
North Florida entered the matchup leading the Division I ranks in 3-pointers made average (12.5) and leaned on the long ball once again in this contest. The Ospreys buried 17 shots from behind the arc, second most by a Syracuse opponent in history, and their 46 attempts were the most any team has tried against the Orange.

The Orange utilized the 3-pointer as well, converting 10-of-26 in the contest. It marked the fourth straight outing Syracuse had made 10-or-more 3-pointers.

HARD-FOUGHT FIRST HALF
Each team knocked down a 3-ball in the first four minutes of a slow scoring start. The score was even at five 4:09 into the contest, Hughes drilling the 3-pointer for the Orange.

Back-to-back 3-balls from Robert Braswell and Girard gave 'Cuse a 17-13 advantage with 9:53 remaining in the first half. Three minutes later, a successful 4-point play from Osprey redshirt senior JT Escobar put his team back in front, 23-22.

The sides continued to go back-and-forth to close the half and the Orange led at the break, 35-33. Hughes led Syracuse with 10 points, while Boeheim and Dolezaj each had eight. Boeheim and Guerrier each pulled down five boards.

ORANGE SLOWLY PULL AWAY
After a Boeheim bullseye to open the scoring in the second half and give 'Cuse a 38-33 lead, neither team built a lead larger than that for the first eight minutes. A Girard 3-pointer, his third of the night, with 10:37 remaining extended the Orange lead to 61-54. A layup from Hughes gave Syracuse its first double-digit cushion of the evening with 9:06 to play, 65-54.

The Ospreys briefly got to within six points, but consecutive 3-point plays from Hughes and Guerrier put the Orange back up, 76-64, with 2:54 to go in regulation. Syracuse entered the double-bonus and sealed the victory at the line in the final minutes.

Gallery: (12/21/2019) The Orange overpower the Ospreys

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Bourama Sidibe led Syracuse with eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Seven of his boards and all four of his points came in the second half.
The Ospreys won the battle on the boards, 37-35.
Dolezaj set a new career high with eight assists to lead all players.
The Orange turned the Ospreys over 12 times. 'Cuse coughed the ball up only four times, tying the Dome record for fewest Syracuse turnovers in a game.
Dolezaj paced Syracuse with three steals.
The Orange outscored North Florida in the paint, 30-10.
Syracuse made 18-of-24 free throw attempts. The Ospreys shot 9-12 from the line.

UP NEXT
The Orange host in-state foe Niagara next Saturday, Dec. 28. The game tips-off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra live stream.

Fans can only access the stream if their cable provider carries ACC Network. Those unsure of their cable provider carries ACCN are encouraged to visit GetACCN.com

Tickets for Niagara and all regular-season home games are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center.

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow us on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB), Instagram (cuse_mbb) and like us on Facebook (SyracuseOrange).