MIAMI — Syracuse (10-5, 0-2 Atlantic Coast) lost to No. 13 Miami (12-1, 1-0), 64-51, at the Bank United Center on Saturday. Here are three quick reactions from the Orange loss, in which Syracuse fell to 0-2 in conference play for the first time in 17 years.

That’s defensive

Miami has the seventh most efficient offense in the country, per KenPom, but struggled to score mightily in the first half to Syracuse. The Hurricanes were held without a field goal for an 11:38 stretch, was 0-for-11 from 3 and made just five shots before the intermission.

The offensive frustration climaxed on the last play of the first half when Tonye Jekiri missed a layup while taking contact. Angel Rodriguez’s rebound didn’t leave him with enough time to cut into the Syracuse lead, which had just been extended by a Malachi Ricahrdson layup.

The script totally flipped in the second half. An eight-point SU halftime lead turned into a 13-point loss. Syracuse fell apart in a similar fashion as it did against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Down the stretch, the Orange committed three straight fouls. The two possessions after ended with Syracuse misses in which fouls were committed on the rebound.

When Trevor Cooney caught the ball in the backcourt for an over-and-back violation, he slammed the ball three times on the hardwood. Syracuse again stayed in the game, but gave it away late on the back of 18 turnovers.

King Mali

In games that Syracuse has lost this season, Richardson has shot just 2-of-27 from behind the arc. On Saturday, it was his offense that kept Syracuse alive. He scored a career-high 20 points and shot 5-of-6 from 3.

He hit two big 3s in the first half that both came off of offensive rebounds. In the second half, with Syracuse down by five and in the midst of a comeback, he pulled up from a couple feet behind the 3-point line and drilled his fifth 3-pointer of the game.

With the score tied, he got to the hole and was fouled and the Orange fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation heading back to the bench.

His strong offense didn’t make up for the 2-of-16 performance from 3 that Syracuse shot without him.

Silent G

Michael Gbinije played easily his worst game of the season on Saturday. He shot 3-of-14, including 0-of-7 from the 3. He committed a career-high eight turnovers and was shut down all game.

He had one highlight dunk in the first half to spur a 15-0 Orange run. But coming out of a timeout with Syracuse up 3, he air balled a 3-point attempt.

When he gave the ball up to Ja’Quan Newton with four minutes left in the game, he flailed his arms in frustration as another player had to foul Newton to prevent a runaway layup. On the next possession, Richardson gave the ball away, and Gbinije committed an and-one foul on the other end of the court.

Miami’s Angel Rodriguez hounded him defensively and his inability to lead the comeback put Syracuse 0-2 in the ACC.

Published on January 2, 2016 at 4:38 pm