Orange Host Niagara For Nonconference Finale

Game Details: Thursday, Dec. 21, Syracuse, N.Y., 5 p.m.
TV: ACC Network Extra
Radio: Listen Live
Live Coverage: Stats
Twitter: @Cuse_MBB | @Cuse
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Syracuse Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule
Niagara Links: Notes | News | Roster | Schedule

Syracuse (8-3) returns to the JMA Wireless Dome for the first time in over two weeks to square off against New York rival Niagara (3-7) on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
The Orange are on a three-game winning streak, led by national player of the year candidate Judah Mintz, who has averaged 23.7 points over the last three outings. Syracuse is off to its best start through 11 games since the 2017-18 season, when the Orange began the year 10-1.

The Purple Eagles have won two of their last three, losing their most recent contest at Binghamton, 74-69. Freshman guard Ahmad Henderson II paced the Niagara offense, scoring 23 points, including four 3-pointers, and logging seven rebounds against the Bearcats..

THE SYRACUSE-NIAGARA SERIES
Syracuse and Niagara will clash on the hardwood for the 84^th time. The Orange lead the series, 55-28, and have won the last 10 meetings. The most recent matchup between the Orange and the Purple Eagles was on Dec. 3, 2020, and the Orange emerged with a win, 75-45. The last time Niagara captured the pairing was on Feb. 25, 1976, edging the Orange, 59-57.

LAST TIME OUT
In a neutral site encounter at the Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota, Syracuse took down Oregon, 83-63. The Orange had 44 points from players coming off the bench, including double-digit performances from sophomores swingman Quadir Copeland (15 points) and center Maliq Brown (14 points). Copeland also tallied nine rebounds and five assists. Mintz scored a team-leading 18 points, and reserves Kyle Cuffe Jr. and Benny Williams each scored eight.

ORANGE LEADERS
Mintz stands at fourth in the ACC in points per game this season (19.9). He also gets to the line at an elite rate, ranking second in Division I in free throw attempts (101) and fifth in free throws made (79). Both Mintz and Brown rank amongst the top in the ACC in steals per game, Mintz (fourth) averaging 2.18 and Brown (second) 2.36. Sophomore forward Justin Taylor is the squad leader in rebounds per game (6.0).

Sophomores guard J.J. Starling (12.5 ppg.) and forward Chris Bell (11.9 ppg.) are averaging double-digit scoring this season.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Niagara's top scorer, Henderson II (15.2 ppg.), shoots a squad-best .800 from the foul line. Senior forward Yaw Obeng-Mensah (10.6 ppg.), is second in scoring for the Purple Eagles. Senior guard Braxton Bayless (9.6 ppg.) has a team-high 22 assists on the season. Sophomore forward Harlan Obioha (8.3 ppg., 7.7 rpg.) tops Niagara in rebound average..

SYRACUSE FANS CAN VOTE MINTZ FOR COUSY AWARD
Mintz is one of 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award, which is annually presented to the top point guard in Division I men's basketball. Orange followers are encouraged to participate in three rounds of Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, on hoophallawards.com.

Mintz is also on the watch list for the Naismith Trophy and John R. Wooden Award. Each list in comprised of 50 student-athletes. The lists for each award will be narrowed throughout the year, and winners of the awards will be announced later in the season.

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).

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