Orange hoops fall short in defending Colgate’s three-pointers
Orange hoops fall short in defending Colgate’s three-pointers
![Syracuse's Jesse Edwards (14) is swarmed by Colgate Raiders' defenders on November 15th, 2022.](https://www.thenewshouse.com/wp-content/uploads/Sports/2022/MBB/RB_SUvsColgateMBB_007-scaled-1024x683.jpg)
Syracuse men’s basketball struggled to keep up with their New York state rival Colgate, falling 80-68. Last year’s matchup brought about the same results with Colgate winning 100-85.
Syracuse center Jesse Edwards snagged the tip-off ball and quickly passed it over to freshman guard Judah Mintz for an easy field goal within the first 30 seconds of play.
Mintz went on to score a career-high 20 total points and nabbed four defensive rebounds.
“Obviously we didn’t win, so I didn’t do enough,” Mintz said. “I don’t think I had an awful performance, but I feel like it was mediocre.”
In the middle of the second half, Mintz stepped back from the Colgate defender, leaving him on the floor, and swished an easy three-pointer into the net. The crowd roared with cheering, hoping to turn the game around.
It didn’t.
Colgate guard Oliver Lynch-Daniels broke the early 5-5 tie with a swishing 3-point shot in five minutes of play. The Raiders would then go on to maintain the lead for almost 80% of the first half.
Syracuse gave up 11 three-pointers in the first half with almost half of them coming from Colgate’s Tucker Richardson (5-7).
The Orange mainly played zone defense which proved ineffective with Richardson consistently shooting above the arc.
“I think that’s our best defense [zone],” Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. “I think that’s the way we can have a good season and win, but we have trouble playing Colgate no matter what.”
![A Colgate super-fan sitting courtside fans in appreciation in his team's win over 'Cuse on November 15, 2022.](https://www.thenewshouse.com/wp-content/uploads/Sports/2022/MBB/RB_SUvsColgateMBB_014-scaled-1024x683.jpg)
A Colgate super-fan sitting courtside claps in appreciation of his team's win over Syracuse on Tuesday in the JMA Wireless Dome.
![Syracuse's Judah Mintz (3) acrobatically attempts a layup in his team's loss on November 15, 2022.](https://www.thenewshouse.com/wp-content/uploads/Sports/2022/MBB/RB_SUvsColgateMBB_001-scaled-1024x683.jpg)
Syracuse's Judah Mintz (3) acrobatically attempts a layup in his team's loss.
On the flip side, Syracuse also struggled offensively despite Mintz’s efforts. The team as a whole scored just eight of 25 three-pointers and recorded under 40% in field goals.
Coach Boeheim said his team’s defense did some good things, but their offense was horrendous.
“We can’t play that way,” Coach Boeheim said about attempting so many three-pointers. “We’re not good enough shooters from there.”
Edwards came into this game after recording an impressive double-double against Lehigh with 18 points and 11 rebounds. In tonight’s game, he put up 10 points with seven rebounds and five blocks.
With 2:11 left in the game, he utilized his height and slam-dunked the ball into the net. But, it was too little, too late.
![Colgate Fans behind the team's bench celebrate after a pivotal bucket in the second half on November 15, 2022.](https://www.thenewshouse.com/wp-content/uploads/Sports/2022/MBB/RB_SUvsColgateMBB_013-scaled-1024x683.jpg)
Senior guard Joseph Girard III put up 14 points for the Orange and created momentum at times in the game.
Girard III was fouled by Colgate’s Oliver Lynch-Daniels, bringing him to the foul line with 16:37 remaining in the game. He went 2-2 in free throws and less than 30 seconds later, Girard III received a pass from Mintz and shot a three-pointer to shorten the deficit to 12 points.
“We never want to lose,” Girard III said. “But, it’s on all of us not just them [the younger players].”
Whenever Syracuse made an electrifying play, Colgate followed up with a play of their own.
Colgate forward Ryan Moffatt shot a wide-open three-point shot with 15:30 left in the second half. Less than one minute later, Richardson followed with another wide-open three-pointer creating the biggest deficit of the game – 18 points.
Up next, the Syracuse Orange face Northeastern (0-2) at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday at 4 p.m.
![SU's Joseph Girard (11) attempts to make a pass along the baseline in their loss to Colgate on November 15th, 2022.](https://www.thenewshouse.com/wp-content/uploads/Sports/2022/MBB/RB_SUvsColgateMBB_009-scaled-1024x683.jpg)