SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) Bourama Sidibe recorded his third career double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, Elijah Hughes added 17 points and eight assists, and Syracuse overcame an ice-cold start to defeat Colgate 70-54 on Wednesday.
Buddy Boeheim chipped in 17 points and six rebounds for the Orange.
The win marked the 54th consecutive win for Syracuse (1-1) against Colgate (1-2) The Raiders’ last win over Syracuse took place Feb. 24, 1962.
Jordan Burns led Colgate with 12 points. Kelly Cummings added 10. Rapolas Ivanauskas had nine rebounds, but shot just 2-for-10.
Syracuse held Colgate to 30% shooting from the field, including 13 of 41 from 3. Colgate shot just 28% in the second half, including a 3 of 19 start. The Orange dominated inside, outscoring Colgate 34-8 in the paint.
The Orange hit 50% from the field 7 of 17 from beyond the arc.
Syracuse, which began its season opener against Virginia going 1 of 13, missed its first eight shots against the Raiders. Sidibe put the Orange on the board with a layup at 13:52 to break the field-goal drought. Colgate had taken a 9-1 lead on three 3-pointers but managed just 6 of 21 from downtown in the first half. The Orange settled in and took a 31-25 lead into the break, led by Sidibe’s eight points and eight rebounds and Boeheim’s 10 points and six boards.
BIG PICTURE
Colgate: With four returning starters the Raiders will probably be fine. It’s hard to judge this team based on their play against Power Five opponents. Colgate played Clemson tough and got off to a good start against the Orange. Auburn will be another huge test.
Syracuse: The Orange may have found a spark in freshman guard Joe Girard III, who started the second half. Girard plays with tons of energy and has an outside shot the team desperately needs. Deposed starter Jalen Carey may never see the light of day.
UP NEXT
Colgate, after games against the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Clemson and Syracuse, steps up in class as the Red Raiders hit the road for a Monday matchup against No. 22 Auburn, which reached its first Final Four in school history last season, in the Legends Classic.
Syracuse continues its seven-game season-opening home stand with a Saturday date against first-time opponent Seattle as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
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