With Syracuse up 53-50 inside of three minutes remaining, a game in which the Orange trailed 47-46 at one point of the second half, Cooney passed from the left wing into Baye-Moussa Keita, who was parked at the free throw line. Cooney then darted to the top of the circle, wriggling free for an 3-pointer with 2:25 left that hit nothing but net.
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The shot gave the Orange a 6-point advantage, and Syracuse was never really challenged the rest of the way in a 64-52 win.
The Syracuse Post-Standard noted that Cooney was working extra this week with Orange assistant Gerry McNamara, a renowned shooter himself under Jim Boeheim. McNamara's message? Square up to the basket.
Cooney's form was absolutely perfect on the decisive shot, and thus is was no surprise that it went in.
Cooney scored only 9 points in the 64-52 win, but all nine of his points came from 3-point land on 3-for-6 shooting.
Cooney is Syracuse's biggest threat to stretch opposing defenses. Entering Saturday, he's shot 80 more 3-pointers than the next closest person on the team in C.J. Fair. His shooting is critically important as the Orange try to continue and remain unbeaten.
