WATCH: Condensed Game Niagara vs. Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (via Cuse.com) –  A career night from  Quincy Guerrier and a strong showing from Kadary Richmond propelled Syracuse (2-0) to a dominant 75-45 victory against Niagara (0-1) in the Carrier Dome on Thursday night.

A stellar first half for the Orange that included a 26-2 scoring stretch quickly put the game out of reach for the Purple Eagles. Syracuse knocked down 53.8 percent of their shots in the opening period and outrebounded Niagara, 24-14. The 2-3 zone defense limited the visitors to 17 points in the second stanza, securing the Syracuse victory.

Under the lights of the Carrier Dome, Guerrier shined bright, setting a new career high with 23 points on 9-10 shooting and tying his career high with 13 rebounds. His point and rebound totals were both game highs.

In his first collegiate start, Richmond gave a performance to remember, finishing a steal and two blocks shy of a five-by-five (16 points, seven rebounds six assists, four steals and three blocks). His points were the most in a Syracuse freshman's debut start since Joseph Girard III scored 24 against Seattle last season.
 
FROM COACH BOEHEIM
"I thought we played a stretch in the first half where we did some really good things," said Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim. "I thought Kadary (Richmond) was the difference in the game. He used this game to really help himself and I thought it was a really good experience and a great opportunity for him."

ONLY GETTING STARTED
A back-and-forth first seven minutes was highlighted by Guerrier, who knocked down his first three shots and tallied eight points with three boards. A two-handed slam from Alan Griffin with 13 to play gave Syracuse a 15-14 advantage. From there, the Orange embarked on 5-0 run that included a pair of free throws from Griffin and a Richmond layup in transition off of a long pass from Girard III to stretch the lead to 19-14 with under 12 to play in the half.
 
'CUSE CATCHES FIRE
After a Nicholas Kratholm layup shrank the Syracuse lead to four, the Orange offense exploded for a 26-2 stretch that featured four-or-more points from five different players and 9-12 shooting from the field. Making his Orange debut, Woody Newton scored his first collegiate basket when he knocked down a three-ball with 5:53 to play. The triple pushed the SU advantage over 20 to 38-16. The Purple Eagles' scoring drought ended when Touba Traore knocked down a free throw with 4:58 to play, making the Orange advantage 39-17.
 
Syracuse maintained a double-digit edge at the break, taking a 42-28 lead to the locker room at halftime. Guerrier led all players with 12 points and seven boards while Griffin followed closely behind with 10 points of his own.
 
SAME STORY, DIFFERENT HALF
After a Kratholm layup gave the Purple Eagles the first points of the second stanza, the Orange offense picked up where they left off, tallying 12 unanswered points over the course of four minutes. The stretch started with a smooth midrange jumper from Girard III and a strong rebounding display from Guerrier that led to a put back layup. Another basket from Guerrier pushed his point total to 16 on the night, tying his career high and pushing the Syracuse lead to 54-30 with 14:37 to play.
 
Coming out of a Niagara timeout, Guerrier continued his offensive dominance, notching seven points in four minutes to surpass his career high in points. The Orange's patented 2-3 zone defense was also on display, with Syracuse holding the Purple Eagles to 4-20 shooting and snatching five steals through the first 12 minutes of the half. The strong play on both ends of the court gave the Orange a 65-36 advantage with seven minutes to play.
 
The final minutes of the game were highlighted by Newton and Richmond, who accounted for eight of the last 10 Orange points. Syracuse outscored the Purple Eagles 10-6 over the last five minutes to seal the victory, 75-45.
 
 
UP NEXT
Syracuse will play the final of its three consecutive home games to start the year on Saturday, December 5 when it hosts Rider at 7 p.m.