Remember the name: Tucker Richardson.
Anticipation for Jim Boeheim’s 1,000th career win kept fans at the edge of their seats in hopes tonight was the night, but Tucker Richardson made sure that didn’t happen.
The senior guard came into the JMA Wireless Dome with little recognition, but that all changed when the team went into halftime.
Richardson had already registered 19 points, shooting 5-7 from three point range at a clip over 70% from beyond the arc.
Those triples were infectious to Colgate as the Raiders were relentless from downtown as a squad. Going 11-21 in the first half where everyone had a hand in the success.
Syracuse committed a number of turnovers and missed shots in the first half that dug a hole too deep to come back. The Orange trailed 44-30 at the midway mark where sophomore forward Benny Williams and senior guard Joe Girard III both had nine points off a combined three triples and close shots near the rim.
The second half did not cool off for Colgate as the threes kept on rolling in. Senior forward Ryan Moffatt had just three points in the first half, but exploded in the second for 12 points off four triples. Syracuse found some footing under their freshman point guard Judah Mintz with a few nifty moves to the basket and a big three pointer to draw within 11 to make it 59-48.
Similar to the first half, any run the Orange amounted was matched and more from the Raiders. A 12-point deficit under seven minutes to go, 68-56, until back-to-back three pointers made it 74-56.
Colgate kept finding the bottom of the net as they ended the game at 50% from three point range hitting 19-38. Colgate breaks the record against Syracuse for the most three pointers made against the Orange at home.
The final score: 80-68 and back-to-back seasons where the Raiders took down the Orange. Syracuse held a previous 54-game win streak over their central New York foe, but it seems the burgundy and white have figured out how to break down the zone defense and pick apart this young Orange team, piece by piece.
Judah Mintz finished the contest with 20 points and four rebounds. Benny Williams was productive with a career high 17, shooting 50% from the field.
Head coach Jim Boeheim came into the postgame press conference visibly displeased with his team’s performance.
“Our offense was horrendous…We shot 8-25 from three. We’re not good enough to shoot that many threes,” said Boeheim.
When asked how this team is going to get better at defense, his response was in character.
“Working on it. I don’t have a magic wand,” Boeheim said.
Syracuse will host Northeastern on Saturday, November 19th to try and bounce back from a dismal loss.
“I wouldn’t judge our season off this game,” said Boeheim.
– Luke Schwartz
