SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Freshman Judah Mintz scored 17 of his career-high 24 points in the second half and Syracuse pulled away for an 86-71 victory over Monmouth on Monday night.
Mintz sank 6 of 12 shots from the floor and 11 of 12 free throws for the Orange (7-4), who notched their fourth straight win. Joseph Girard III had 16 points and Benny Williams scored 11 of his 13 points after intermission.
Freshman Jack Collins had a career-best 20 points for the Hawks (1-10). Myles Foster had 17 points and six assists. Myles Ruth finished with 11 points and five assists.
Girard hit three 3-pointers on his way to 13 first-half points, Maliq Brown came off the bench to score nine and Syracuse took a slim 42-40 lead at halftime. Collins made four 3-pointers and had 16 points at intermission for Monmouth.
The Hawks shot 56.7% in the first half and made 6 of 11 from beyond the arc. The Orange shot 55.6% and hit 6 of 8 from distance. Syracuse hit 6 of 9 free throws, while Monmouth missed its only attempt and that was on an and-one by Foster with 21 seconds left before halftime.
Foster got a second chance at a three-point play and made the free throw to give Monmouth a 49-48 lead with 15:46 left in the game. Williams answered with a three-point play for Syracuse and the Orange regained the lead. Williams followed a Mintz basket with a four-point play and the Orange grabbed a 57-52 lead with 14:12 remaining.
Two free throws by Jesse Edwards gave Syracuse its first double-digit lead 64-54 with 10 minutes left. Edwards finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Brown scored 11 with seven boards. The Orange made 22 of 26 foul shots, while the Hawks hit 2 of 3.
Syracuse is 3-0 against the Hawks — with wins in 2012 and 2016.
Monmouth is 1-8 on the road with a win over Manhattan.
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