The No. 4 Syracuse University men’s basketball team [9] (8-0, 0-0 Big East) continues to dominate after defeating the Monmouth University Hawks [10] (5-5, 0-0 NEC) 108-56 Saturday night at the Carrier Dome.
Sophomore guard Michael Carter-Williams [11] led the Orange by dishing out 16 assists, also adding 15 points and four blocks. Senior guard Brandon Triche [12] scored 18 points and had 8 assists. Junior forward C.J. Fair [13] also chimed in with 14 points and 10 boards.
Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said after the game that his players were looking for each other on the court.
“I think this was an overall good effort,” Boeheim said. “This team was really looking for each other and passing the ball.”
The Orange recorded 30 assists against Monmouth, a season high.
Syracuse got off to a slow start in the first half, tying the Hawks at 19 points apiece with 10:32 left in the first half.
“We weren’t playing our game [at first]” said SU freshman guard Trevor Cooney [14]. “We were letting them do whatever they wanted and we didn’t take control of the game.”
“I think we did that later on the game.”
After that, the Orange offense exploded and Syracuse ended the first half with a 38-9 run. The Syracuse offense shot 50 percent from the floor while its defense held Monmouth to 30.3 percent shooting in the first half.
The second half saw more Orange dominance as Syracuse began the period with an 11-0 run that evolved into a 30-9 run. This run combined with Syracuse’s defensive play led to an easy win for the Orange.
Syracuse’s 108 points is a season high and marks the first time this season that the team broke the century mark. The 52-point margin of victory is also a season high.
Carter-Williams said the game had some takeaways, even though Syracuse won by a large margin.
“[We need] to stay together no matter what,” Carter-Williams said. “In the beginning we were down until we went on a big run and I think [that] going through those little hard times [will help us grow as a team].”
Carter-Williams’ 16 assists are a career high for him are the third-most recorded in a game in SU history. Carter-Williams came into the game leading the nation in assists per game with 10.5. He also recorded his fourth straight double-double.
“I’m very impressed with [Carter-Williams].” Fair said. “I don’t think anyone was expecting him to come out and average 10 assists per game.”
Cooney also posted a career-high 15 points after shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Defense also played a role in Syracuse’s win.
“We were fundamentally sound in our press and our trap,” Triche said. “It helped us get steals and easy buckets.”
Syracuse’s win against Monmouth marks Boeheim’s 898th win and the Orange’s 28th straight home win -- the longest active streak in Division I.
The Orange will return to the court on Saturday, Dec. 15, when SU hosts the Canisius Golden Griffins at 7 p.m.
