Four Score In Double Figures As Syracuse Beats Niagara

Thursday, December 21

Syracuse, N.Y.

5 PM

Syracuse University

9-3,0-1ACC

Niagara

3-8,0-2MAAC

Niagara

Syracuse

Four Score In Double Figures As Syracuse Beats Niagara

12/21/2023 7:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Sophomore center Maliq Brown posted his first career double-double (15 points-10 rebounds) and Syracuse (9-3) held off Niagara (3-8), 83-71, in the JMA Wireless Dome on Thursday night.

The Orange had four sophomores score in double figures -- guard Judah Mintz (18 points), Brown (15 points), swingman Quadir Copeland (12 points) and forward Justin Taylor (11 points).

WHEN THE GAME WAS DECIDED
With 9:07 left in the first half and the game knotted at 17-17, the Orange produced an 11-point run to pull away from the Purple Eagles. The stretch, which put the Orange ahead, 28-17, included four points apiece from sophomore guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. and Copeland.

ORANGE EXTEND THE ADVANTAGE
Syracuse built on its 10-point, halftime lead with a 9-0 run early in the second half that put the hosts ahead, 52-26. Consecutive 3-pointers from Taylor, followed by a basket from sophomore guard J.J. Starling, gave the Orange their biggest lead of the contest, 19, at 57-38.

NIAGARA PRESSES ORANGE TO THE END
The Purple Eagles rallied over the final four minutes of the contest, narrowing Syracuse's lead to nine at 76-67, and again at 78-69. The Orange closed out the visitors on a basket from Brown and a 3-pointer by Taylor.

SYRACUSE BENCH EXCELS AGAIN
For the second straight outing, the Orange received a big lift from their bench. Syracuse's subs produced 40 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists and four steals. Copeland led the charge, contributing eight assists, three rebounds and two steals to his 12-point showing. Cuffe Jr. produced three assists, two blocks, two rebounds and one steal to add to his seven points in 16 minutes.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

The 9-3 record is the best start to a season for Syracuse since 2017-18.
Syracuse is on a four-game winning streak and has won all six games inside the Dome this season.
Copeland's eight assists today tied his career-high, which he achieved earlier this season against Chaminade.
The Orange forced 13 turnovers and scored 15 points off the errors.
Syracuse scored 44 points in the paint compared to Niagara's 32.
The Orange improved their series record against the Purple Eagles to 56-28.
Niagara is the eighth-most familiar foe in Syracuse history.
Niagara's Luke Bumbalough led the offense with 26 points.
The Purple Eagles went 14-for-15 (.933) at the foul line.

UP NEXT
Having wrapped up non-conference play, Syracuse returns to the ACC portion of its schedule with a Dec. 30 home encounter against Pittsburgh. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. and the game will be televised on The CW.

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).