Orange Take Down Big Red

Wednesday, December 29

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 PM

Syracuse University

Cornell

12/29/2021 5:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Jim Boeheim Press Conference Jimmy Boeheim Press Conference Cole Swider Press Conference Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Buddy Boeheim scored a game-high 22 points and led Syracuse (7-5) to a 80-68 victory against Cornell (8-3) in the Carrier Dome.

The Orange earned their 41st straight triumph in the series. The two Central New York rivals were meeting for the 126th time.

Cole Swider contributed 21 points, his best showing to date with the Orange. Jimmy Boehim added 16 points and seven rebounds and Jesse Edwards rounded out double-digit scorers with 11 points.

Big Red sophomore Keller Boothby led the visitors with a team-high 20 points, which included seven 3-pointers.

FROM COACH BOEHEIM
"Brian Earl is a really good coach. Jimmy (Boeheim) learned a lot down there but I'm glad we had him on our side today," said Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim. "Our offense is getting a lot better; Cole (Siwder) is starting to really shoot the ball and Buddy (Boeheim) is making some of the hardest shots I've ever seen."

HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
The Orange grabbed the edge after the first basket from Jimmy Boeheim, 10 seconds into the contest, and did not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. Jimmy Boeheim's basket ignited a 17-2 start for the Orange that covered the first 7:45 of play.

STARTERS MAKE NOISE
All five Orange starters contributed to the opening drive that gave Syracuse the lead. Buddy Boeheim led the charge with six points followed by Cole Swider notching five. Jimmy Boeheim, Joseph Girard III and Jesse Edwards contributed a basket a piece to the first 17 points.

The Big Red overcame the slow start and cut into the Orange lead. Back-to-Back 3-point baskets by Boothby and Guy Ragland Jr. narrowed the Syracuse lead to 23-16 with 5:01 left in the opening half.  The two clubs headed into the intermission with Syracuse clinging to a 34-29 advantage.

CORNELL STAYS CLOSE
Cornell entered the game ranked second nationally in offense (88.1 avg.) and ninth in 3-point average (11.0). The offense kept the Big Red within reach. Another 3-pointer from Boothby had Cornell behind just 38-35 with 17:20 left in regulation.

Swider helped the Orange up the advantage, scoring 10 points in an 18-point stretch that was met by just one 3-point shot by Cornell's Ragland Jr. The 18-3 stretch increased Syracuse's lead to 62-43 at the 10:20 mark. The Big Red would not get closer than nine points the rest of the way.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Jimmy Boeheim scored first for the Orange for the 10^th time in 12 games this season.
The Orange outscored Cornell in the paint, 40-14.
Swider was made 3-of-5 3-point attempts.
Four of five Orange starters shot above 50% from the field and scored in double digits.
Jimmy Boeheim played three seasons at Cornell and earned his undergraduate degree last spring. He is working toward a master's degree at Syracuse.
Buddy Boeheim moved up to 32nd on Syraucse's career scoring list (1,383 points).
The Orange defense held the Big Red from scoring for the first 3:10 of play and 20 points below Cornell's season average.