CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. — Syracuse’s top two scorers, Rakeem Christmas and Trevor Cooney, struggled mightily on the offensive end on Wednesday night at Conte Forum. But it was the supporting cast that took the scoring load in a 70-56 win over Boston College.

1. Wanting more

Christmas had possibly his worst game of the season on Wednesday. He finished with a season-low seven points on 3-of-8 shooting. He was called for three travels, committed five turnovers and had much to gripe with the refs about.

After being called for his first travel when taking contact with 13:19 left in the first half, he pleaded with the officials for a foul. When he finally made his first shot with 1:17 to go in the first half, he stuck his arms out and stared down the ref, asking for an and-one opportunity.

2. Stepping it up

Kaleb Joseph, conversely, played his best, scoring 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting. On his first attempt, he cut to the basket, before stepping back and hitting a jumper. He continued the scoring with 10:35 to go when he drove to the basket, took contact and finished the righty layup to put Syracuse up by seven points.

He capped off his scoring with a thunderous two-handed dunk off of a Michael Gbinije steal. After the play, he pounded his chest in excitement.

He’s been in Jim Boehiem’s doghouse in the second half of games throughout the season, but had increased late minutes against Pittsburgh, and proved too effective to take out late on Wednesday.

3. Getting tired?

Trevor Cooney, who has played all 40 minutes in nine of 23 games this season, came out flat against Boston College. He shot just 4-of-11 and couldn’t find his range despite being open on many occasions.

His most athletic play came with the score already out of hand, when he went off the dribble to give the Orange a 17-point lead on a right-handed layup. At Conte Forum last season, Cooney shot 8-of-13 and had 21 points in the 10-point win. But that was the start of a conference slate that got worse and worse for Cooney as it went on.

Now, with the knowledge of when the season will reach its inevitable end, Cooney is once again starting to miss his shots.

Published on February 11, 2015 at 8:53 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3