Men’s basketball completes 24-point comeback

Syracuse men’s basketball outscored Colgate by 20 points in the second half to complete a 79-75 comeback win. The team remains undefeated after their third straight victory at home.

Sophomores forward Chris Bell and guard Judah Mintz combined for 48 points in the win. Their play allowed SU to recover from a sluggish start.

Colgate grabbed the first six rebounds of the contest and knocked down their first four triples to start the game. SU head coach Adrian Autry called an early timeout to regroup the Orange with the Raiders up 16-9, but Syracuse continued looked disorganized and sluggish on the boards.

Following the stoppage of play, sophomore guard J.J. Starling knocked down a three-pointer and Mintz scored a tough basket that rejuvenated both Syracuse and the fans.

However, the Orange were not able to cut into the Colgate lead.

The Raiders’ lead hovered around three and six points for the first 15 minutes of the game, diffusing any reinvigoration done from the early timeout.

Junior forward Benny Williams checked in for the first time of the season in the first half, triggering cheers in support after he missed the first two games of the year with a suspension.

Still, the Colgate lead grew after two unanswered three-pointers.

Boos started to circulate in the crowd and the team’s effort continued to dwindle. At the half, Syracuse trailed 46-30.

Bell’s 10 and Starling’s seven were Syracuse’s main source of scoring in the half.

The eager and supportive crowd to start the second half quickly turned angry and frustrated when Syracuse missed their first five shots.

Timidity and discombobulation were not only felt in the stands but also apparent on the court for everyone wearing Orange until pockets of finishes and hustle-plays helped Syracuse revitalize.

A three from Bell that cut the lead to 10 got the crowd back on their feet and making noise. Starling’s floater with 9:31 left cut the Colgate lead under double digits for the first time since the first half.

The Orange continued their comeback with a Boeheim-like defensive intensity that inspired the crowd.

With 1:38 left, Syracuse tied the game at 70, and with 1:07 left, Syracuse retook the lead for the first time since it was 3-0.

The crowd trembled and the players watched anxiously as sophomore forward Maliq Brown got a steal and converted it into a dunk on the other end, all but sealing the win for Syracuse and completing their comeback.

Fans roared, as did the team.

After being down by as much as 24, Syracuse came back and continued the early success of the Adrian Autry era. Bell and Mintz were the leading scorers in the contest with 25 and 23 points.

“Just knowing that we’re not done until that buzzer hits zero,” Mintz said. “As long as the game is within reach then we got a chance to get it.” Mintz scored 17 points in the second half.

After three home games, Syracuse will head to Hawaii where they will face Tennessee on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational.