Syracuse Stages 2nd-Largest Comeback Win In ACC History

Tuesday, November 14

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 PM

Syracuse University

3-0,0-0ACC

Colgate

1-1,0-0Patriot

Colgate

Syracuse

Syracuse Stages 2nd-Largest Comeback Win In ACC History

11/14/2023 9:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Syracuse (3-0) came back from a 24-point, second-half deficit, and defeated rival Colgate (1-1), 79-75, on Tuesday night in the JMA Wireless Dome. It represented the second-largest rally in ACC history, trailing only a 25-point comeback by Florida State in 2023.

Sophomore guard Chris Bell scored 15 of his career-best 25 points after the intermission to pace the Orange. Sophomore guard Judah Mintz added 23 points, including an 11-of-14 performance from the foul line.

WHEN THE GAME WAS DECIDED
Trailing by eight with 3:25 minutes, left, the Orange went on an 8-0 run to tie the contest for the first time since the opening minute of play at 70-70. Sophomore Justin Taylor and Bell sandwiched 3-pointers around a basket by sophomore J.J. Starling to compile the eight points. The rally continued with six more unanswered points -- two free throws from Starling, a steal and a dunk by sophomore center Maliq Brown, and Brown's two free throws -- to move the Orange in front, 76-70, with 31 seconds left. Mintz converted three free throws the rest of the way and the Orange emerged.

RAIDERS OPEN IN FAMILIAR FASHION
Visiting Colgate came into the Dome having won the last two meetings against Syracuse. The Raiders outscored the Orange 46-30 in the first 20 minutes, thanks in part to eight 3-pointers before the break. Colgate's Ryan Moffatt had 12 first-half points and the Raiders owned a 25-12 rebound advantage after the opening half.

Colgate then started the second half with eight straight points, which pushed its margin to 24, 54-30, with 16:32 left in the contest.

THE ORANGE BATTLE BACK
The Orange comeback started with a rebound and layup from junior center Naheem McLeod. That triggered a 20-4 stretch which helped Syracuse narrow the gap to 58-50. Bell asserted himself at the offensive end, tallying 12 of the 20 points in the run.

Colgate answered with two free throws from Braeden Smith and a lane basket from Sam Thomson which put the visitors ahead 62-50 with 8:33 remaining. The two clubs traded baskets over the next five minutes and Nicolas Louis-Jacques scored at the 3:25 mark to give Colgate a 70-62 margin.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

Tuesday night's encounter was the 175th meeting between Syracuse and Colgate on the hardwood.
The Orange improved their series advantage to 128-47.
Syracuse's most recent rally from a 20-point deficit came in the 2020-21 campaign when the Orange trailed Notre Dame, 55-35, and pulled out the triumph.
After Colgate went 8-of-15 (.533) from beyond the arc in the first half, Syracuse's defensive limited the Raiders to 1-of-9 (.111) after the intermission.
Syracuse effectively utilized a full-court press in the second half to aid the comeback. The Orange had a 20-6 advantage in points off turnovers for the game.
The Orange forced 19 Colgate turnovers, including five during a 1:30 stretch in the second half (6:22-to-4:52).
Mintz, who owns spots on the preseason watch lists for the Cousy, Naismith and Wooden awards, topped 20 points for the third straight contest.

UP NEXT
Syracuse travels west for the Maui Invitational. The Orange have a first-round matchup with 7/8 Tennessee on Monday, November 20. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. EST and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

TICKETS
Syracuse men's basketball tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets), by phone (1-888-DOMETIX), and at the Dome Box Office (Gate B).

For complete coverage of Syracuse men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Cuse_MBB) and Instagram (@cuse_mbb).

Gallery: (11-14-2023) Syracuse vs Colgate