ORANGE SECURES VICTORY OVER BIG RED CORNELL

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse Orange clinched an 81-70 victory over the Cornell Big Red on Tuesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Judah Mintz emerged as a standout player, scoring an impressive 28 points, including a career-high five three-pointers. Mintz was able to sink consecutive three-pointers with precision assists from Justin Taylor and J.J. Starling. These plays bolstered Orange’s lead and underlined their effective teamwork.

Mintz conveyed his approach to the game, stating, “We wanted to get back into that win column, and that’s what we did.”

Cornell forward Sean Hansen secured an early two-point lead for Big Red, but Orange quickly responded. Cornell forward DJ Nix showcased his three-point capability, narrowing the gap and highlighting the teams’ long-range abilities.

Judah Mintz getting ready to make free throw shot. Photo by: Cody Stokes

Justin Taylor’s driving layup, orchestrated by Kyle Cuffe Jr., showcased Orange’s versatility in offensive strategies, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as the first half concluded with a narrow lead for Orange at 34-31.

Justin Taylor making a three-point shot during game against Big red Cornell. Photo by: Cody Stokes

Closing out the half, a question prevailed- where is Benny Williams? Williams, a sophomore forward, had initially missed the first two regular-season games due to a suspension for an undisclosed violation of team rules. While he returned for the subsequent two games, he found himself benched again during the team’s loss to Gonzaga, reportedly as a disciplinary measure for breaking a team rule.

Coach Autry addressed the matter, stating, “I played the guys that I thought could help us. This was a particularly challenging game, and I played individuals I believed could contribute to a victory.”

Coach Autry observing the teams’ plays during game against Cornell. Photo by: Cody Stokes

The second half began with Cornell guard Cooper Noard’s early turnover and Judah Mintz for a skillful two-point layup. Nix continued to shine with a well-executed three-point jump shot, widening Orange’s lead. Starling’s driving layup and Bell’s precise shooting demonstrated Orange’s diverse offensive capabilities.

Despite Big Red’s efforts, Orange maintained control, with Bell’s three-pointers and Cornell guard Chris Manon’s layup extending their lead. The game reached its peak when Mintz secured critical points for Orange leading to a victory with a score of 81-70.

“I was aiming to be aggressive and make plays for my teammates,” said Justin Taylor.

With this hard-earned win, Syracuse turns its attention to a road matchup against old Big East rival Georgetown this Saturday afternoon.