BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Orange took down Richmond 74-71 in overtime on Monday night, notching their third victory of the season.
Early in the first half, Syracuse was as hot as they have been this year, setting the tempo right from the jump with a 14-2 run, but the Spiders would not go away quietly after being down by five going into the break.
Richmond would take their first lead of the game coming out of the half thanks to redshirt freshman Jalen Nelson. He drained three pointers on back-to-back possessions to go out in front by a point and spark the momentum for the Spiders in the second half. Nelson ended with 14 points and was one of four Spiders to finish in double-digits, showing the array of scoring outlets head coach Chris Mooney has in his arsenal.
“We have guys who can score and can play,” Mooney said. “We have some depth so there is some positive things [from tonight]. We certainly had chances tonight. It’s difficult to lose any game but especially one you really feel like you were right there and had opportunities.”
‘Cuse notched their second straight win with Joseph Girard III being much of the reason for the win. The senior recorded a career-high 31 points, scoring 21 of them in the first half.
Head Coach Jim Boeheim acknowledged his second-half heat check, but also thinks his decision making can improve.
“Joe had a great first half and then he tried too much in the second half,” Boeheim said. “He has to figure the balance out. When he gets good shots, he makes them. In the second half he did have two or three good ones that he missed. You’re going to miss but then he took a couple he shouldn’t. In some of those situations, both Judah and him get in the lane and Jesse has got to be found. We have to find Jesse down there.”
Judah Mintz was another factor in tonight’s game, as mentioned by Boeheim. The freshman guard scored 16 points against the Spiders, tying a season low on the year, but Monday night was more than just the stats he registered on the book.
Mintz was a vocal presence from start to finish, seeming like he is gaining an immense amount of confidence in himself on the floor, but he credits that to the cast of people who support him.
“I feel like my teammates are building a confidence in me just like I’m building a confidence in myself,” Mintz said. “Just having the coaches look to me to lead this team, and having my players look to me to lead this team it is a confidence booster for me, but I could definitely feel my team having more confidence in me.”
Girard has been the leader on this team for three years now as the primary play caller for the offense. Knowing how difficult it is to be a point guard in the Syracuse system, he is most impressed with how well Judah Mintz is blending into the orange in year one.
“He’s doing great,” Girard said. “I think the biggest thing with him is he’s a competitor. So, it’s kind of just natural for him because he wants to compete, he wants to win and we need that. Especially from a point guard in the Syracuse system. Coach Boeheim relies on those guys to lead a lot.”
With the win, the Orange improve to 3-1 and will play Tuesday night against St. John’s in the Empire Classic championship.