Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB | Breathe easy
Orange gets chance to rest in blowout win over Colgate
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 12/2/08, 3:39 AM EST Section: Sports
After a three-game stretch full of miraculous shots, desperate second-half comebacks and statement victories, Arinze Onuaku knew Syracuse needed an easy one. A squad can handle only so much stress in such a short period of time.
So Onuaku didn't try to make too much of Monday night's game, an 86-51 Syracuse win over Colgate. Last week was about sending a message. This was about finally having the chance to relax.
"Today was for working on your stuff, getting a little bit of rest and finally getting a break before the next game," said Onuaku, who scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in 23 minutes. "Especially for the starters - we needed to rest our legs a little bit."
They got their chance. No. 16 Syracuse, which cracked the national rankings Monday for the first time in more than a year, dominated the Raiders in front of 18,422 in the Carrier Dome. The Orange (7-0) played arguably its most complete game of the year against a Division I opponent, jumping on Colgate early and never letting up. With about six minutes remaining in the first half, Syracuse held an insurmountable 37-7 lead.
Paul Harris led the way for the Orange with a game-high 22 points. Point guard Jonny Flynn added 12 points and seven assists. Backup forward Rick Jackson had a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in 13 minutes.
This was after an especially trying set of games against Florida, Kansas and Virginia in a span of five days. Against the Jayhawks and Cavaliers, Syracuse needed to battle
back from 11-point halftime deficits to win.
On Monday, the Orange led by 30 at the break - the importance of which was not lost on the team.
"It's been tough the last two games. We were down 11 and had to come back," Harris said. "We did it, but it's better to be up by 30 than down by 30 any day."
Syracuse took control of the game from the opening tip. Flynn hit a 3-pointer on the Orange's first possession, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and turned it into a layup. Forty seconds into the game, SU already led 5-0 and set the tone for the rest of the night.
So Onuaku didn't try to make too much of Monday night's game, an 86-51 Syracuse win over Colgate. Last week was about sending a message. This was about finally having the chance to relax.
"Today was for working on your stuff, getting a little bit of rest and finally getting a break before the next game," said Onuaku, who scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in 23 minutes. "Especially for the starters - we needed to rest our legs a little bit."
They got their chance. No. 16 Syracuse, which cracked the national rankings Monday for the first time in more than a year, dominated the Raiders in front of 18,422 in the Carrier Dome. The Orange (7-0) played arguably its most complete game of the year against a Division I opponent, jumping on Colgate early and never letting up. With about six minutes remaining in the first half, Syracuse held an insurmountable 37-7 lead.
Paul Harris led the way for the Orange with a game-high 22 points. Point guard Jonny Flynn added 12 points and seven assists. Backup forward Rick Jackson had a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in 13 minutes.
This was after an especially trying set of games against Florida, Kansas and Virginia in a span of five days. Against the Jayhawks and Cavaliers, Syracuse needed to battle
back from 11-point halftime deficits to win.
On Monday, the Orange led by 30 at the break - the importance of which was not lost on the team.
"It's been tough the last two games. We were down 11 and had to come back," Harris said. "We did it, but it's better to be up by 30 than down by 30 any day."
Syracuse took control of the game from the opening tip. Flynn hit a 3-pointer on the Orange's first possession, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and turned it into a layup. Forty seconds into the game, SU already led 5-0 and set the tone for the rest of the night.
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