For the first time in 21 games, Rakeem Christmas didn't score at least ten points.
For a change, it didn't matter.
Syracuse's leading scorer only had seven points, but four of his teammates scored in double figures and the Orange used its balanced scoring attack to roll over Boston College, 70-56, in an empty Conte Forum on Wednesday night. The Orange completed a sweep on the season series against the Eagles, who lost their fifth conference game in a row.
"Rakeem is going to be our No. 1 option for the rest of the year," Michael Gbinije said. "Whenever they do send a double team, I guess we just have to step up and make shots."
Gbinije led all players with 21 points for Syracuse, who bounced back from a down-to-the-wire loss in Pittsburgh. He has averaged 19.5 points over the last four games, giving the Orange a secondary scoring option it lacked at times at the beginning of the season. Trevor Cooney scored 15, Kaleb Joseph had 14 and B.J. Johnson added 12 for Syracuse, in only its second game since receiving a self-imposed postseason ban.
The Orange pulled away after a 13-2 run at the 7:27 mark in the second half. It was fueled by Syracuse's transition offense and decimated Boston College, which had kept the score within five points for most of the half.
"This is really the best we've played on the road this year," Jim Boeheim said.
Gbinije got his offensive game going in the first minute of the game by stealing a crosscourt pass and giving the Orange an early 5-0 lead with a layup. The Eagles came back with their own 8-0 run, fueled by back-to-back 3's from Aaron Brown and Olivier Hanlan.
But that lead wouldn't last long.
A few minutes later, Joseph found Gbinije, alone, in the right corner and buried a 3-pointer to give Syracuse a 15-11 advantage. Gbinije admired the high-arching shot, keeping his right shooting hand in the air after hitting what was the third of four straight made field goals for him to start the night.
After that, the Orange never again trailed. In the half or in the game.
The team shot 9-23 (39.1 percent) from behind-the-arc, well above its season average, and spaced out its 3's well enough to brush aside any counter-attack from the Eagles.
The exclamation point came on Trevor Cooney's 3-pointer from the top of the key with 55 seconds left. It inspired an enthusiastic "Let's Go Orange" chant from the smattering of Syracuse fans, who were appreciative of the all-around offensive night.