You know the saying. Clutch players step up in clutch situations.
Syracuse Orange
Up just 49-45 with under five minutes left without a fouled-out Rakeem Christmas, the momentum appeared to be completely on the side of the Fighting Irish. However, a hampered Trevor Cooney, previously cold as ice from the field, proved just why he has the green light in almost any situation.
The junior hit a nearly impossible deep two-pointer from the corner over three Notre Dame defenders as the shot clocked waned to put the Orange up 51-45 with 4:16 left, and, following consecutive buckets by Zach Auguste and Jerian Grant to lessen the Syracuse advantage to just two, he responded with a catch-and-shoot three from the top of the key following a crucial Chinonso Obokoh offensive rebound, and a layup with 1:44 left to build a 56-49 lead.
Feb 24, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; The Syracuse Orange bench reacts in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Syracuse won 65-60. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
A mental lapse by Ron Patterson, fouling Grant from beyond the three-point line as the heralded swingman subsequently hit all three free throws to cut the Fighting Irish deficit to 59-57 with 43 seconds left, kept the end result in question, however the Orange were able to break the Notre Dame press, and sophomore B.J. Johnson highlighted his career-high 19-point night with and and-one transition flush to seal the deal, allowing SU to walk away with an upset 65-60 victory.
Johnson (7-of-13 from the field) was simply sensational for the Orange, stepping up in a critical situation as the likes of Tyler Roberson struggled to achieve a rhythm. His three-pointer five minutes into the second half extended the Syracuse lead to 34-28, his layup gave SU a 46-37 advantage with under eight minutes to go, and his three free throws down the stretch clinched the uplifting W.
Prior to his fouling out, Christmas captured his 1,000th point on and and-one while in the midst of yet another double-double, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds amid an unceasing stream of pressure from Notre Dame’s Auguste and Bonzie Colson. Cooney finished with 11 points, and Michael Gbinije contributed 12 points while contributing on the defensive end with an impressive six steals.
Feb 24, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Ron Patterson (4) dunks in front of Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Zach Auguste (30) in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Syracuse won 65-60. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Colson lead the Fighting Irish with 16 points off the bench, while Pat Connaughton chipped in 13 points, including a three with 46 seconds left to cut the Orange lead to 57-54, and 15 rebounds. The Orange did an excellent job of containing Grant, a member of the Wooden Watch List, as he was limited to just 2-of-9 shooting, finishing with 13 points. Auguste also chipped in 11 for the Irish.
Overall, the Orange defense was stifling, limiting Notre Dame to just 35% shooting from the field and 14% from three while forcing 14 turnovers. They also controlled the boards, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds.
Their strong defensive effort resulted in a 27-22 halftime lead, and, despite a few threats from the Irish, the Orange were able to stave off the Notre Dame attack, locking up a statement win, their ninth of conference play.