Syracuse University
South Carolina (NIT Semifinals)
Shumpert Scores 28 In NIT Semifinal Loss To SC, 66-59
3/27/2002 12:24:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK, NY - Senior Preston Shumpert scored 28 points and moved into sixth on SU's career scoring list but it was not enough in a 66-59, NIT semifinal loss to South Carolina Tuesday night.
The Orangemen (23-12) will play Temple (18-15) in the consolation game of the NIT on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m., while South Carolina (22-14) will face Memphis (26-9) in the finals.
Shumpert and junior Kueth Duany got Syracuse out to a quick start, each tallying five points in helping construct a 12-5 advantage. The Gamecocks got back into the game with a 17-10 run to tie the game at 22-22 with 4:40 left untill intermission. Five more points from Shumpert and another Duany bucket had Syracuse ahead at the half, 29-26.
Shumpert continued to excel in the second half. His first three-pointer of the second half and second of the game broke Matt Roe's record for season treys of 83 (1988-89). A trey that tied the game at 46-46 moved Shumpert past Rafael Addison and into seventh on the school's career scoring ledger. He used a three-pointer to tie the game again at 49-49, then drilled two free throws and converted a layup to knot things up at 55-55. Shumpert moved past SU legend Dave Bing into sixth on the scoring chart with the flurry.
The Gamecocks used an 11-4 run in the final 4:42 to overtake Syracuse for good. Freshman Craig Forth scored to pull the Orangemen within two, 61-59, with 2:09 left, but South Carolina tallied the last five points.
In addition to Shumpert's 28 points, which improved his career total to 1,886, the Orangemen got 15 points and seven rebounds from Duany.
Aaron Lucas had 20 points, James Bradley and Tony Kitchings 13 each, and Rolando Howell ended up with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Gamecocks.
