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Syracuse to Host Cornell in Season Opener

Cuse.com

Syracuse (0-0, 0-0) will open its season Friday night as they take on the Cornell Big Red (0-0, 0-0) in the Carrier Dome.

The Orange are coming off two convincing preseason victories. After defeating Southern New Hampshire 84-54 on November 1, Syracuse beat Southern Connecticut State on Monday 84-59, marking their second double-digit victory in less than a week. 

Despite trailing by five at halftime, Syracuse was able to turn it around, outscoring the Owls 60-30 in the second half. The turnaround was led by experienced guards Tyus Battle and Frank Howard, who combined for 39 points. 

SU versus Cornell starts at 7:00. Countdown to Tipoff begins at 6:30, only on 88.3 FM WAER.

Other notable performances include freshman Oshae Brissett, scoring 16 points with five rebounds, and freshman Bourama Sidibe, who contributed eight points, 12 boards and five blocks. 

The team hopes to repeat this early success as they look to win their 38th consecutive game against the Bid Red of Friday, which is currently the third longest win streak against a single opponent in the country. 

Cornell returns major playmaker Matt Morgan from last year's squad. Morgan, a two-time all-Ivy League selection, became the first Cornell player to reach 1,000 points in only two seasons. He scored an efficient 25 points in 23 minutes in an exhibition game against SUNY Cortland on November 4. 

After recording double digit blocks for a second straight game on Monday with 11 in total, Syracuse will have to continue to display defense prowess against a Big Red team that's returning 72 percent of its scoring, 74 percent of its rebounding and 71 percent of its assists from a year ago - making them one of only 16 teams in Division I to return greater than 70 percent of their scoring, rebounding and assists. 

Following Friday's game, Syracuse will remain home for their second game of the season as they take on Iona College on November 14.