Shumpert's 3-Pointers Help Lift
2/19/2001 2:37:52 PM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, NY - Preston Shumpert connected on his first six three-point shot attempts and finished with a school-record eight in a 65-60 victory against Connecticut. Shumpert scored 15 of his squads first 20 points on five three-pointers. His early-game marksmanship helped Syracuse maintain an advantage throughout the contest. He ended up with 34 points, the second-highest output of his career.
Behind Shumperts 21 points and eight from Damone Brown, SU led by as many as 16 points in the first half. The Orangemen connected on 16-of-28 shots in the opening period, a .5711 rate. The margin was 14 with 12:42 left in the contest but the Huskies battled back. A 9-1 Connecticut run brought the visitors within two points, 62-60, with 1:01 remaining in the game. Allen Griffin responded with two free throws at the 19-second mark and Shumpert closed out the game with a free throw.
The game featured a stellar defensive effort from the Orangemen...Connecticut shot just .273 from the field in the second half and .317 for the game...The Huskies stayed in the game by outscoring SU 19-9 at the free-throw line.
Jeremy McNeil matched a career-high five blocks for the fourth time this season. Kueth Duany had eight points, three blocks and two steals in a reserve role.
