Orange Outrun The Leopards

Tuesday, November 9

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 PM

Syracuse University

1-0,0-0ACC

Lafayette

0-1,0-0Patriot

Lafayette

Syracuse

11/9/2021 5:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Jim Boeheim Press Conference Jimmy Boeheim Interview Buddy Boeheim Interview Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Syracuse (1-0) had all five starters in double digits and the Orange won their season opener for the 17th time in the last 18 tries by defeating Lafayette (0-1), 97-63.

Hall of Fame Coach Jim Boeheim improved his record in season starters at Syracuse to 41-5 with the triumph.

Joseph Girard III finished with 20 points and seven assists, Jimmy and Buddy Boeheim each had 18 points, Cole Swider paired 14 points with a career-best 12 rebounds and Jesse Edwards finished with 11 points for Syracuse. Lafayette was led by Kyle Jenkins and Leo O'Boyle, who each had 14 points.

FROM COACH BOEHEIM
"It was a good first game back in the Dome," said Coach Boeheim. "The energy the fans bring adds so much to our game. I think it was a really good contest in terms of our defense, but we definitely have some things to work on."

HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
Syracuse used an early 13-0 run to build a 25-7 margin with 10 minutes left in the first half. Edwards started the stretch with two free throws. Jimmy Boeheim followed with a 3-pointer, Buddy Boeheim added five points and Swider splashed a 3-pointer to build the advantage. Lafayette was unable to get closer than 15 for the remainder of the first half.

GIRARD PACES 'CUSE THREE-POINT ATTACK
Syracuse converted 13-of-26 3-pointers in the contest. Girard connected on all five of his attempts, Buddy Boeheim added three, and Jimmy Boeheim and Cole Swider each made two 3-pointers.

SWIDER SWAYS SECOND HALF
Swider put his imprint on the game in the second half, putting together 11 points and seven rebounds after the intermission. The Syracuse advantage swelled to as many as 36, 95-59, following a 3-pointer from graduate walk-on Paddy Casey with 51 seconds left in the contest.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

The 97-point outburst represented the most scored by Syracuse in a season opener since the Orange tallied 97 versus Siena in 2007.
The Orange outrebounded the Leopards, 48-30.
Syracuse accumulated 26 assists on 37 baskets.
Nine different Orange players scored in the victory.
Jimmy Boeheim, Paddy Casey, Cole Swider, and Benny Williams each scored their first points for Syracuse.
Syracuse outscored Lafayette 44-18 on points in the paint.
Two Orange recorded career high boards totals -- Swider (12) and Frank Anselem (5).
Jesse Edwards had three blocks, marking a career high.
Jimmy Boeheim's 18 points represent the most scored in a Syracuse debut since Jonny Flynn had 28 against Siena in 2007.
The Orange advantage in the Lafayette series improved to 9-0.

NEXT GAME
The Orange are back in action on Sunday (Nov.14) at 5 p.m. against Drexel. Tickets are available at Cuse.com/Tickets or 888-DOME-TIX.

Gallery: (11-9-2021) Syracuse vs. Lafayette

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