GAME NOTES: The Syracuse Orange continue a three-game homestand to close out the 2014 calendar year, as they welcome the Long Beach State 49ers to the Carrier Dome for a non-conference matchup on Sunday.

Jim Boeheim's Orange were ranked in the Top-25 early in the season, but the team has failed to maintain the lofty perch with losses in three of the last five games. Syracuse was however, able to distance itself from last weekend's tough loss to Villanova (82-77) with a 78-43 romp over Colgate on Monday. The win improved the team to 7-4 on the season and 6-1 at home.

Long Beach State has earned its frequent flyer miles of late, as they 49ers are currently in the midst of a six-game road trip that culminates with next week's showdown at Louisville. The team's first four legs of the set have all resulted in losses, including Monday's 66-49 setback at St. John's. With the recent skid, LBSU is a mere 5-8 on the campaign.

Syracuse has won all three previous meetings with Long Beach State, including an 84-53 lopsided affair in 2012.

The 49ers didn't shoot the ball particularly well at St. John's, but LBSU actually held a lead in the second half before faltering down the stretch and dropping a 17-point decision to the Red Storm. Long Beach State managed to shoot just .323 from the floor in the game and turned the ball over 17 times, resulting in 23 points for St. John's. Mike Caffey and Tyler Lamb were the only players to finish in double figures for LBSU with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

On the season, Long Beach State has put up modest offensive numbers, averaging 67.3 ppg on .430 shooting. The team has also struggled in terms of rebounding (-3.8) an turnovers (-1.6), with negative margins in both categories. Caffey is a do-it-all guard, as the senior tops the team in scoring (17.8 ppg), assists (3.6 apg) and steals (22). He is shooting .503 from the floor overall, including an impressive .500 from behind the arc (29-of-58). Lamb is the only other real offensive threat on the roster at 10.8 ppg, despite shooting under 40 percent from the floor (.385).

LBSU will need to find some kind of offensive rhythm, although against the stingy Orange that is easier said than done. Syracuse is once again fueled by its strong defensive play, as it limits foes to just 58.3 ppg this year, holding them well under 40-percent efficiency (.365). SU is also a strong rebounding team, averaging 40.2 caroms per contest and boasting of a +6.7 rebounding margin. Big man Rakeem Christmas is a frontcourt force, shooting over 60 percent from the floor (.611) and leading the team in both scoring (16.5 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg). Freshman forward Chris McCullough (11.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) adds to the frontcourt depth, while junior guard Trevor Cooney (12.8 ppg, 24 3-pointers) provides perimeter balance.

Syracuse simply blew by Colgate in the first half, rolling up 43 points on the overmatched Raiders, who couldn't find their way back into the contest, ultimately falling by 35 points to the Orange. Cooney was on the floor for just 29 minutes, but managed to lead all scorers with 20 points. Christmas posted his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Ron Patterson and Michael Gbinije played key roles in the win as well, finishing with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The 49ers have come up empty thus far on their current road trip and that isn't likely to change at the Carrier Dome.