Senior forward Kris Jospeh has netted a game-best nine points to help the Syracuse University men's basketball program earn a 39-22 halftime lead over visiting Bucknell Bison at the Carrier Dome. Sophomore center Fab Melo has added eight points and a team-best nine rebounds for the nation's No. 1 ranked team, which is searching for its ninth home win of the season.
Freshman forward Rakeem Christmas tallied seven points and four rebounds in the first four minutes of the game to help the Orange (11-0) jump out to an early 9-4 lead. From there, Joseph and the SU defense, which held the Bison to just 11.1-percent shooting (1-of-9) from behind the 3-point line, helped the Orange take a commanding 17-point lead into the locker room.
Junior center Mike Muscala has a team-best eight points for the Bison (7-4), who snagged an early 2-0 lead, but never led after that.
SB Nation New York is blogging live from press row at the Carrier Dome Tuesday night, as the Syracuse Orange host the Bucknell Bison. Be sure to check out, SB nation's Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician for everything SU, and follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY or JaredSmithCNY.