Sophomore guard Dion Waiters [13], who scored 15 points off the bench on 6-of-12 shooting, led the Orange. Waiters also raked in two steals and added an assist. Senior forward Kris Joseph [14] scored 13 points despite a poor shooting night from the floor (2-of-6). Joseph also dished out three assists. Sophomore center Fab Melo [15] led the Orange in rebounds with seven.
Syracuse took command of the game midway through the first half, after regaining the lead with a layup from freshman guard Michael Carter-Williams [16] that made the score 13-12 with 11:28 to go in the first half. The Orange did not relinquish the lead from that point on and went on a 19-0 run and finished the half with a 41-19 lead.
Tulane would go on to outscore the Orange 42-39 in the second half, but that was not enough to overcome the first half deficit. The Green Wave could not handle the Orange defense, as it shot 34 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. Tulane also shot 66.7 percent (20-of-30) from the free throw line. Junior forward Kendall Timmons [17] who scored 16 points on 4-of-12 shooting led Tulane.
The Orange, on the other hand, had a solid offensive performance, shooting 51 percent (26-of-51) from the field and 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from beyond the arc. Syracuse also shot 81.8 percent (18-of-22) from the free throw line. Syracuse distributed the ball effectively; recording 16 assists against Tulane, including three from both Brandon Triche [18] and Joseph.
Syracuse solidified itself as one of the best home teams in the nation, as it improved its record at the Carrier Dome to 10-0 on the season.
Syracuse will begin conference play Wednesday, Dec. 28 at home against Seton Hall at 7 p.m.
