Syracuse (4-0, 0-0) continues to look good after their 74-50 win over Oakland (2-2, 0-0).
After starting the game behind, the Orange took the lead a few minutes into the first half and never looked back. After letting the lead slip to 11 in the second half, the Orange used a late 20-7 run to pull away from Oakland.
'Cuse used good shot selection and inside scoring throughout the game, putting up a season-low 8 three-pointers. Syracuse also displayed balanced scoring once again, with four players in double digits.
Sophomore guard Tyus Battle led the game with 25 points. He and freshman forward Oshae Brissett scored 26 of 'Cuse's 39 points in the first half. It was two surprise scorers however, who reached career-high point totals for the Orange.
Point guard Frank Howard was second on the team in scoring with 18 points. The junior also added on six assists.
Center Paschal Chukwu had a trio of career-highs in Monday's game. Along with his 12 points, the transfer junior brought down 11 rebounds and swatted 8 shots.
Along with offense, the Orange also played smothering defense against a Golden Grizzlies team which had scored more than 70 points in each of its first three games. As a team, 'Cuse had 15 blocks and 11 steals. Freshman forward Marek Dolezaj stuffed the stat sheet with 3 blocks, 2 steals, and 8 rebounds.
Coach Jim Boeheim didn't give the players all of the spotlight though. In a classic Boeheim moment, with the team already up double digits in the first half, the longtime SU coach gave refs an earful after they called an illegal screen on Paschal Chukwu.
Syracuse is back in action Wednesday night against the Toledo Rockets. Looking ahead, the Orange have some tougher opponents coming up in Maryland and No.3 Kansas.