Syracuse wins New Year’s Eve matchup against Boston College

It was a perfect way to ring in the new year for the Orange. In a New Year’s Eve matchup, the Syracuse Orange had the crowd on their feet as they came out on top in a 79-65 win against the Boston College Eagles. 

Syracuse was just coming back from a devastating loss to Pittsburgh where the Orange were down by about 20 points with 11 minutes to go in the second half but made a comeback only to lose the game by 2 points. That was not the case in this game. 

Syracuse trailed Boston College for most of the first half until Symir Torrence made a layup with the assist from Joe Girard III to take the first lead in the game. There was some back-and-forth action after that play, but Syracuse held their own for most of the game until midway through the second half, when the Eagles took the lead again. Boston College kept it a close game, but ultimately, Syracuse came out victorious, making it their last win of 2022. 

Joe Girard III in Syracuse’s game against Boston College (photo by Luke Schwartz)

Though Syracuse’s Joe Girard III was the star on the court leading the team in points, Coach Jim Boeheim said that the star in practice has been Quadir Copeland, even though he didn’t show it this game. 

Coach Boeheim also mentioned that the team’s best forward is Benny Williams, and that showed in this game. Williams had a total of 11 rebounds, the most by any player this game. He was 2 for 2 in both 3 pointers and free throws. 

“Benny’s very capable of being a double-double guy and he hasn’t shown that in the games, but he’s our best forward,” said Boeheim. “And he’s going to get every opportunity to do what he can do.” 

Though Syracuse secured their ninth win of the season, Coach Boeheim was still disappointed in the way his team has been playing. 

“The biggest disappointment is we block a shot, we make a miss, and then forwards stand there and we don’t get the rebound. We’re not getting those loose balls” said Boeheim. “We just aren’t playing at the level we need to be playing at.” 

Syracuse’s next game will be against the Louisville Cardinals in Louisville, Kentucky. Tip off for that game will be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3.