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Writer's pictureDan Tortora

Copeland's 3 Raises Orange to 9-0 at Home




Miami began the game on a 6-0 run, with Syracuse scoring their first bucket on a layup by sophomore forward Maliq Brown at the 17:22 mark of the first half.


Working the ball around aided the Orange to an open look in the right corner which sophomore forward Chris Bell knocked down to tie the game at 10-apiece with 13:07 to go in the first half.


Sophomore point guard Judah Mintz's jumper gave Syracuse their first lead of the day, 16-14, at the 9:46 mark.


With under three minutes before the break, sophomore guard Quadir Copeland dished the ball out to the right corner to Bell from underneath the basket. Bell passed to the right wing and sophomore guard J.J. Starling elevated for a three-ball to shrink the Orange deficit to two at the 2:36 mark, 29-27.


With a chance to tie the game at the 1:02 mark, junior forward Benny Williams missed both of his freebies, keeping Syracuse down by two.


Williams would get the shooter's roll on a low ball that hit the rim, went to the backboard, and bounced in, getting the Orange within one, 31-30.


A steal by Copeland gave Syracuse an opportunity to take the lead right before half, but Copeland did not get the ball up in time, leaving the Orange behind by one at the break.


Miami went 14-for-27 (51.9%) in the first half, while Syracuse finished 11-for-32 (34.4%).


Both teams were equal on the overall boards, 18-apiece.


There were four lead changes in the opening half.


Just like the first half, Syracuse scored close to the 17-minute mark, this time with sophomore guard Justin Taylor going to the rim for two, bringing the game to 34-32 Miami at the 17:08 mark.


Coming in at the 10:36 mark, junior guard Nijel Pack made three-straight buckets, scoring eight points, to keep the Hurricanes ahead despite the Orange keeping things within two possessions.


The game would remain two possessions of difference or less for more than 12 minutes to start the second half, until a dunk by junior guard Matthew Cleveland with 7:47 to go in the contest made it 55-48 Hurricanes.


Back-to-back threes by Syracuse, the first from Starling and the second from Bell, tied the game at 59 and then 62.


Brown would then clean up at the rim off of a Mintz miss, dunking it home to give the Orange a 64-62 lead with 3:10 to play.


Coming out of the break in the action, freshman guard Kyshawn George tied the game at 64 and at 66 with back-to-back layups.


A three by Starling would be answered with a three by George, tying it up once again, this time at 69-all with 1:17 to go.


With 18 seconds to play, Orange first-year head coach Adrian Autry would call timeout.


Mintz came out dribbling the ball down inside eight seconds.


He went to his right and then sent the ball flying overtop of the defense to Copeland on the left wing.


Copeland elevated and sent home a three before the buzzer rang, giving Syracuse the last-second victory, 72-69.


With the win, the Orange remain undefeated at home at 9-0.


Overall, Syracuse is now 13-5 and 4-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).


Miami moved to 12-6 overall and 3-4 in the ACC.

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