LISTEN: @Cuse_MBB returned to the Dome after a loss in the ACC opener, with a win against its CNY foe @cornell_mbb, 81-70. @AndrewSelover and @EthanGFrank had the call. pic.twitter.com/3sEQDPwMjt
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) December 6, 2023
Two familiar teams just 50 miles apart faced off on Tuesday night. Syracuse (6-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) defeated Cornell (7-2, 0-0 Ivy League) 81-70 inside the JMA Wireless Dome.
Orange guard Judah Mintz knocked down five three-pointers and totaled 28 points. Forward Chris Bell notched five triples and finished with 19 points.
“That’s something we have not done well,” said head coach Adrian Autry following the win. “The games that we have shot the ball well, we’ve won from the three-point line. When [Judah’s} making his shots, he’s tough to guard.”
Mintz went 8-for-16 from the floor and 7-for-10 from the free-throw line. He was five points shy of tying his career-high 33 points which he marked in SU’s 80-57 demolition over LSU last Tuesday. The sophomore bounced back after a five-point performance in Syracuse’s road loss to Virginia over the weekend.
“I’m a coach that wants to take good shots,” said Autry. “I don’t try to over-coach shot selection…we had the right guys shooting them. If we have the right guys shooting them, then I’m okay with that.”
The ‘Cuse made just five three-pointers against UVA, but Tuesday was a different story.
SU converted 13-32 from beyond the arc. Bell and Mintz combined for 10 three-pointers in the win over the Big Red. Guard Justin Taylor added three triples.
Cornell stuck around throughout the entirety of Tuesday’s contest. Syracuse led 34-31 at halftime, and was up by 10 with just under six minutes left in the second half. The Big Red went on a 7-0 run, but J.J. Starling halted that with a clutch jumper with over two minutes to play.
“No one is perfect. No one plays 30 great games,” Autry said. “Tonight, I thought he made a big-time shot. He doesn’t make that shot, this game could be different. That’s what really good players do and he’s a really good player. We needed it.”
The ‘Cuse finished the 128th meeting between the two Central New York schools on a 10-2 run for its sixth victory of the season.
Syracuse travels to Washington D.C. to face Georgetown (5-3, 0-0 Big East Conference) on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The Orange hope their hot hand continues due to the Hoyas averaging nearly 80 points per game. WAER’s coverage starts at 11:00 a.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff.