75 - 61 Syracuse went on an 18-4 second half run that gave the Orange the separation necessary to get the win.
Boston College freshman Matt Milon had only scored in double figures three times this season and hadn't done so since December. In today's game against Syracuse, the freshman guard scored 20 points in the first half on 4-4 shooting from three point territory. It seemed like Milon was in for an epic performance against Syracuse that could give the Orange a run for its money.
Syracuse got off to a slow start, but things began picking up as the half went on. Sticking with the freshman theme, Franklin Howard was given extended minutes in the first half for plays like the one below.
Syracuse's largest lead of the first half was 10 but the aforementioned Milon weathered the storm for Boston College. Syracuse was only ahead by one on the final possession of the first half, however, a Trevor Cooney layup at the buzzer gave Syracuse a three point lead heading into the break.
Boston College stuck around and even took the lead in the second half. Syracuse would go on an 18-4 run fueled by Malachi Richardson and Tyler Lydon that gave the Orange some separation. Richardson hit back-to-back triples and then he found Lydon on the ensuing possession who knocked down a three of his own. On the next play Lydon again let it fly from outside and the result was the same. From then on the game was never close.
Lydon led Syracuse in scoring with 20 on 8-12 shooting from the floor. Gbinije had 17 while Richardson had 15 points and 5 assists. Cooney chipped in 12 and Syracuse cruised to a 75-61 victory. As for Milon, he finished with 25 points only scoring 5 in the second half. Syracuse as a team shot 8-10 from three in the second half after only shooting 3-13 in the first.
Syracuse is now 18-8 overall and 8-5 in ACC play. The Orange have won eight of its last nine games and will now play an important game at Louisville on Wednesday. That game tips at 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN.
