Syracuse closes 1st half on 18-0 run, cruises by Oakland

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Joe Girard had 18 points and six assists, Jesse Edwards added 18 points with seven rebounds and Syracuse closed the first half on an 18-0 run en route to a 95-66 win over Oakland. Syracuse trailed 21-20 with 11 minutes left in the first half, but the Golden Grizzlies only made one more field goal before the break. The Orange closed on a 25-3 run, with eight points from Girard, for a 21-point lead after shooting 57% and controlling the glass 24-15. Girard had 15 points and five assists in the first half and Edwards added 12 points and six boards. Edwards had a highlight sequence early in the second half when he blocked a shot in the lane and raced the other way for an alley-oop dunk for a 53-27 lead.