In a stunning turnaround, Syracuse orchestrated a remarkable comeback to defeat Colgate 79-75 in a thrilling basketball clash on Tuesday. Chris Bell led the charge with a career-high 25 points, while Judah Mintz added 23 to secure the victory for the Orange.
The long-standing series between these Central New York schools has seen Colgate face challenges against Syracuse, with the Raiders losing 54 consecutive meetings prior to upsetting the Orange in 2021 and 2022. In their latest encounter, Colgate nearly completed a hat trick, holding a commanding 24-point lead in the second half.
Jeff Woodward extended Colgate’s lead to 54-30 with a layup, but Syracuse mounted an extraordinary comeback over the next seven minutes. The Raiders scored only four points during this stretch, allowing the Orange to narrow the gap to 58-50 on JJ Starling’s jumper with 9:38 remaining.
Judah Mintz then took charge, scoring all of Syracuse’s points in an 8-2 run that brought them within striking distance at 66-62 with approximately five minutes left. Chris Bell’s clutch 3-pointer tied the game at 70-70 with 1:38 remaining.
In the crucial moments, JJ Starling’s free throws and Maliq Brown’s steal and slam gave Syracuse a four-point edge. Despite a late 3-pointer by Colgate’s Nicolas Louis-Jacques, Mintz sealed the game with three free throws in the final 12 seconds.
Starling contributed 13 points and seven rebounds for Syracuse, while Mintz showcased his all-around game with eight assists and three steals. On the Colgate side, Keegan Records led with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Braeden Smith narrowly missed a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
Colgate had initially pulled away in the first half, breaking open a two-point game with a 19-2 run. They held a 46-27 advantage before Syracuse’s remarkable second-half resurgence.
The game showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, providing fans with a thrilling contest that will be remembered for its dramatic twists and turns.
