Syracuse, N.Y. — Despite being down two starters, Syracuse still had too much firepower for Niagara.
Syracuse, playing without starting center Bourama Sidibe and starting guard Buddy Boeheim, easily defeated Niagara, 75-45, on Thursday night at the Carrier Dome.
Sidibe, a 6-10 senior, missed the game after undergoing surgery on Tuesday for a torn meniscus in his left knee that he suffered in the opener against Bryant.
About 90 minutes before the start of Wednesday’s game, SU officials announced that one unidentified player had tested positive for Covid-19. Boeheim is believed to be among a small group of players who sat out the game as a result of contact tracing protocol.
With Boeheim out, Syracuse’s starting lineup consisted of sophomore Joe Girard, freshman guard Kadary Richmond, junior transfer Alan Griffin, sophomore Quincy Guerrier and senior Marek Dolezaj.
>> Box score
Guerrier led Syracuse with a career-high 23 points on 9-for-10 field goal shooting. He also tied his career-best with 13 rebounds. It was his second double-double in as many games this season. Guerrier did all his work in just 25 minutes.
In his first collegiate start, Richmond played well, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Syracuse took control of the game with a 26-2 run midway through the first half. The Orange trailed 14-13 with 13 minutes left in the half.
But Syracuse ramped up its defensive effort and held the Purple Eagles to just two points over the next eight minutes as it ran its lead to 39-16.
Syracuse held Niagara to 29 percent (10-for-34) field goal shooting in the opening half. The Purple Eagles hoisted 24 3-point shots in the first 20 minutes but made just five.
Niagara’s shooting woes continued in the second half. The Purple Eagles wound up 6-for-36 from 3-point range for the game.
Syracuse had built a 65-36 lead with 10 minutes left in the game when SU coach Jim Boeheim turned to his bench, inserting freshman Woody Newton and redshirt freshman John Bol Ajak while taking Guerrier and Dolezaj out of the game.
Syracuse (2-0) is scheduled to host Rider (0-0) on Saturday at the Carrier Dome.
More Syracuse basketball:
Kadary Richmond shines in first career Syracuse start (Donna Ditota’s quick hits)
You grade the Orange after win over Niagara
Syracuse men’s basketball reports a positive Covid-19 test in its program; will impact Niagara game
Syracuse University: Water on Carrier Dome floor was not the result of leak in new roof
Triple double-doubles, strength of schedule, Jim Boeheim’s tenure: Mike’s Mailbox
