Orange No Problem With Columbia

Junior forward Wes Johnson led all scorers with a career-best 26 points as #10/9 Syracuse defeated Columbia, 85-60, on Friday night at the Carrier Dome. The victory marked win number 805 for head coach Jim Boeheim, who moved ahead of Eddie Sutton for seventh on the Division I career victories list. Johnson was 8-for-13 from the field, 4-for-5 from three-point range and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in his career performance while adding three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. He led a well-balanced Orange offense that had 11 players contribute points, including four in double-digits. Syracuse shot 52.6 percent from the field, while limiting the Lions to 37.9 percent shooting. The SU offense controlled the paint, 40-18, while also holding a 16-2 edge in fast break points. The Orange matched its all-around offense with strong defense, causing 20 Columbia miscues while holding a 29-9 advantage in points off turnovers. Senior center Arinze Onuaku added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting while corralling five rebounds and tallying a game-best three blocked shots. Sophomore Mookie Jones also had 12 points for the Orange, netting four threes in a reserve role. Junior Rick Jackson rounded out the double-digit scorers, pairing 10 points with a game-high nine boards. Sophomore guard Scoop Jardine directed the Syracuse offense, dishing out a game-best seven assists while adding eight points and five steals. Onuaku powered Syracuse to a fast start as it outscored Columbia, 9-2, in the first 3:30. The Lanham, Md. product opened the scoring with an offensive rebound and put back for two of his six points in the run. Noruwa Agho kept the Columbia in the game early, scoring 11 of 13 points to pull the Lions within three, 16-13, with 11:00 remaining in the half. The Orange continued to drive, reasserting its edge with an eight-point run to take a 24-15 lead with 7:58 left in the half. Johnson sparked the run with an acrobatic mid-air rebound and lay-in while also contributing a pair of free throws. The Corsicana, Texas native also had an assist in the run, picking off a Columbia pass in the lane and feeding Scoop Jardine for the fast break bucket. Syracuse came out strong out of the locker room, opening the second half on an eight-point run while holding the Lions scoreless through the first three minutes of play. Onuaku netted the first five points of the run before Johnson connected from three-point range, giving a 44-27 lead with 17:38 remaining. The Orange increased the separation with an 11-0 run, taking a 55-30 lead with 14:17 left to play. Triche sparked the run with a lay-up through traffic before Johnson and Jones brought the Dome crowd of 20,166 to its feet with three-straight trifectas. Syracuse continued to pour it on, taking its largest lead of the game, 79-45, with 5:25 remaining before cruising to an 85-60 victory. Rookie guard Brandon Triche matche six points with two helpers while senior guard Andy Rautins, sophomore forward Kris Joseph and freshman forward DaShonte Riley each added three points. The Orange continues its non-conference slate as it entertains Colgate on Monday, November 30 at 7 p.m.