Syracuse University
Seton Hall
Syracuse Wins 20th of Season With 73-71 Victory Against Pirates
2/21/2002 11:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Junior DeShaun Williams hit three free throws in the final 24 seconds to help Syracuse past Seton Hall, 73-71, on Thursday night at Continental Airlines Arena.
Syracuse (20-7, 9-4 BIG EAST) won its 20th game for the fifth consecutive season and for the 24th time in Coach Jim Boeheim's 26-year tenure. Only North Carolina's Dean Smith (30) and Fresno State's Jerry Tarkanian (29) have more 20-win campaigns to their credit. The Orange beat West Division rival Seton Hall (12-14, 5-8) for the second time this season.
The Orangemen jumped out to a 16-7 lead to start off the game, a stretch keyed by junior Kueth Duany's nine points. and did not give up the advantage for the rest of contest. After Seton Hall fought back to come within one point of SU, at 18-17, the Orangemen rattled off 16 unanswered points to take a 28-17 lead. Duany led the first-half charge with 14 points and SU entered intermission ahead, 39-22.
Syracuse led by as much as 19 points early in the second half, 41-22, but Seton Hall whittled the margin.Charles Manga's layup then put the Pirates within four, 68-64, with 22.1 seconds remaining. Williams hit three free throws and sophomore James Thues scored on a layup to secure the victory.
Williams led the Orange with 18 points, and senior Preston Shumpert followed with 17 tallies and four assists. Sophomore Jeremy McNeil recorded eight points and a team-high seven rebounds. With his two steals on the game, Thues tied Jason Hart for the most steals in a season by a SU sophomore with 79.
Syracuse returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 24 when it plays Georgetown at 2 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Jim Boeheim Court will be dedicated in a pre-game ceremony.
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