With six minutes remaining in Syracuse’s (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) opener against Le Moyne, forward Chris Bell snagged the ball away from Dolphins forward Nate Fouts to seal an 86-82 victory for the Orange and avoid a disastrous first result of the year.
After the game, 'Cuse head coach Adrian Autry was relieved that it was the beginning of Syracuse's journey.
"We got a lot of work to do," said Autry. "Thank god we got five or six days before we get ready for the next game."
Syracuse's next opponent is Colgate (1-1, 0-0 Patriot League), a team Autry will be glad he had a week to prepare for. Two seasons ago, the Raiders stunned the Orange, and last year, the 'Cuse escaped with a narrow four-point victory.
Colgate comes to the Dome after falling to Drexel on Saturday. Forward Jeff Woodward has carried the scoring load for Colgate in the opening two contests with an average of 16 points and seven rebounds. The fifth-year player was held in check the last time he faced the Orange, finishing with just six points and three boards. The 6-foot-11 forward out of Audubon, PA, will be up against different faces in the paint this time.
Colorado transfer Eddie Lampkin Jr. struggled in his Syracuse debut, playing limited minutes after picking up two early fouls. A player who shined in the opener was Delaware transfer Jyáre Davis. The 6-foot-7 forward provided a spark off the bench with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. After the game, the senior was pleased with his new role.
"At Delaware I was getting double teams so many times that there were a lot of games where I would not have a lot of points," Davis said.
Delaware transfer Jyáre Davis brings a 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame to @Cuse_MBB this season.@TylerJAitken had the call for Davis' debut and-one with SU.@waer883, 📻https://t.co/BG0Q3sGq3P pic.twitter.com/4V07S57jzz
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) November 5, 2024
Syracuse will certainly need Davis Sunday to prevent another Colgate scare. Coach Autry knows that after the fright Le Moyne gave his team, his group needs to be ready for anything.
"They know we need to get better," Autry stated after the close call from the Dolphins. "If they don't know we need to get better, today was a good example of it. If you don't come out and play and be ready you know you can lose."
Syracuse and Colgate will battle for the 19th time on Tuesday at 7 p.m. WAER's coverage begins at 6:30 with Countdown to Tipoff.