Syracuse vs. High Point final score: Orange use big 2nd half to blow out Panthers, 75-54

It wasn’t as easy as No. 2 Syracuse expected, but the Orange used a big showing in the second half to defeat High Point on Friday night, 75-54.

High Point came out firing early and only trailed Syracuse by three going into halftime. The Orange’s vaunted 2-3 zone got the best of the Panthers in the final 20 minutes, though, holding them to just 20 points in the second half while seldom giving them a clean look at the basket. ‘Cuse seemingly couldn’t miss on the other end; the Orange finished the game shooting 53.7 percent from the floor and 7-of-13 from behind the arc.

Next up for Syracuse is a showdown with No. 8 Villanova on Dec. 28. High Point’s next game will come on the road against Arkansas on the 28th, as well.

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