Syracuse didn’t lose to a stick of gum, so that’s good.

After a deplorable loss to St. John’s before the holiday, Syracuse looked to steer the ship in the right direction as it took on Cornell tonight at home. The Orange didn’t lose to the Big Red 80-56, so that’s somewhat good news.

Sans a Frank Howard steal and lay-up, Syracuse played from behind for much of the game’s first ten minutes. A put-back dunk from Tyler Roberson proved to give the Orange a spark as it went on a 17-5 run over the last five minutes of the first half. The run put Syracuse up 42-25 at the break.

Both teams traded baskets early in the second as Taurean Thompson and Tyus Battle kept Cornell at bay from the offensive end. Cornell was unable to inch closer in the second half as Syracuse continued to build its lead throughout, eventually winning 80-56.

The Narrative Lives On

Syracuse continues to dominate lesser opponents and struggle against bigger names in college basketball. Of course, Syracuse didn’t play a big time opponent tonight and dominated an inferior one, so the stigma lives on.

Stats

Tyler Lydon led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Thompson and Battle finished right behind him with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Syracuse won the rebounding battle handily, 41-32. The Orange as a team shot well from the free-throw line as it went 13-17 from the stripe.

ACC Up Next

Syracuse will now begin ACC play (gulp) on Sunday. The Orange will take on Boston College on New Years day. That game tips at 12:30 p.m. from Chestnut Hill and will air on ESPNU.