Michael Gbinije Carries Syracuse Past NC State 75-66 on Senior Day

With only three games left in its regular season, each game is now paramount for the Syracuse Orange. Although a win over NC State doesn't necessarily boost Syracuse's NCAA Tournament résumé, a loss would certainly hurt. Syracuse was able to avoid that as the Orange beat Cat Barber and company 75-66.

Michael Gbinije came out firing on senior day by knocking down four first half shots from downtown. Two of those four made threes were from beyond NBA range. Threes were aplenty as Syracuse shot 19 first half triples while making seven. Malachi Richardson found his shooting stroke on Syracuse's last few first half possessions; he'd knock down a three just before the half to give Syracuse a 34-26 lead heading into the break.

In the second half the Orange quickly extended its lead up to 15. NC State wouldn't go away without a fight and eventually cut Syracuse's lead to five with 5:26 left in the game, but Michael Gbinije's career-high seventh three gave Syracuse an eight point cushion. That cushion proved to be enough as Syracuse eventually won by nine.

Trevor Cooney never really got going in his last home game. He started off with an air ball and finished with five points going 0-6 from three. On the flip side, Gbinije finished with a career high 34 points on eight made threes. He chipped in six assists, four rebounds and three blocks as well. Syracuse as a team finished 12-32 from three point land assisted on 18 of its 26 field goals.

Syracuse now moves to 19-10 and 9-7 in the ACC. The Orange will travel to North Carolina to take on the Tarheels for Super Tuesday. That game tips at 7 p.m. on February 29th and will air on ESPN.

Thank you for all that you've done in Orange, Gbinije and Cooney.