Jack Ferguson scored 25 points and Nelly Cummings added 18 as Colgate ended a 54-game losing streak against Syracuse, finally defeating the host Orange 100-85 on Saturday night.
The Raiders (3-2) made 18 3-pointers in 43 attempts (41.9 percent) in beating the Orange (2-1) for the first time since 1962. Ferguson and Cummings each hit six 3-pointers, while Tucker Richardson made three and Oliver Lynch-Daniels drained a pair.
Colgate also knocked down 18-of-21 foul shots and outrebounded Syracuse 44-34 as part of a terrific overall performance.
Joe Girard III scored 27 points with eight assists and seven rebounds, while Buddy Boeheim chipped in 19 points for the Orange. Jimmy Boeheim registered 11 points and 10 boards.
Colgate led by two early in the second half when Ferguson was fouled on a 3-pointer, made all three free throws and then knocked down a 3-pointer on the next trip. The visitors led by at least five points for the remainder of the contest.
Two foul shots by Syracuse’s Cole Swider cut the lead to 84-79 with just under four minutes to play. But Colgate responded with seven straight points, capped by Keegan Records’ offensive rebound and putback, to make it a 12-point advantage with 2:11 to go.
Syracuse dominated the early portions of the contest, getting out to a 17-2 lead as all five starters scored during the opening burst. Sam Thomson then scored the final five points in an 11-0 run that sliced Colgate’s deficit to 23-19.
The Orange restored the lead to double digits at 30-19, but the Raiders knocked down six 3-pointers in the final six minutes of the half — two apiece by Ferguson and Cummings — to take a 46-43 edge into the break.
In all, Colgate fired up 28 3-pointers during the first half, making 11 for a connection rate of 39.3 percent. Buddy Boeheim led Syracuse with 15 points at intermission.
–Field Level Media
