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Syracuse University
PITTSBURGH
McNeil Gives 24/-- Syracuse a 67-65 Win Against 2/2 Pittsburgh
2/1/2003 10:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Junior #Jeremy McNeil# sank two free-throws to tie the game, then made a last-second lay-up to give 24/-- Syracuse a 67-65 win against 2/2 Pittsburgh on Saturday at the Carrier Dome. A crowd of 30,303, the NCAA's largest on-campus gathering for a college basketball game this season, witnessed the victory.
The last time Syracuse beat a second-ranked team was on March 5, 1989, when SU upset Georgetown, 82-76, in overtime. The Orangemen (14-3, 5-2 BIG EAST) snapped Pittsburgh's (15-2, 5-1 BIG EAST) six-game winning streak, and gave the Panthers their second loss of the season.
A Brandin Knight lay-up and a three-point bucket by Jaron Brown helped Pitt to a four-point advantage, 65-61, with 1:43 left. SU senior #Kueth Duany# answered with a rebound basket at the 1:25 mark. Donatas Zavackas missed a three-pointer at the other end and McNeil was fouled after securing the rebound. The junior post player, the owner of a .286 (4-14) free-throw percentage, went to the line and converted both shots to tie the score at 65.
Pittsburgh worked the clock down to 14 seconds, but a turnover by Brown and a #Carmelo Anthony# steal gave the Orangemen one last possession. Following a timeout, freshman #Gerry McNamara# drove the lane and missed, but McNeil was there to convert the rebound for the game-winning score with three seconds left. The Panthers got the ball back with 0.8 seconds on the clock, but Knight's desperation three-point attempt went up after the buzzer.
Sophomore #Hakim Warrick# netted 14 points in the second stanza to give him a game-high 20 on the night. Anthony notched his 11th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Duany posted 15 points and six boards. McNamara added nine points and four assists on the night.
Chevon Troutman led Pitt with 16 points before fouling out. Ontario Lett scored 12 points and added nine boards. Jaron Brown had 12 points and seven caroms. Brandin Knight contributed seven points and a game-high seven assists.
The two squads traded baskets for the first 10 minutes of the game, as control of the scoreboard changed hands seven times. The Panthers scored 13 straight points to take a 35-22 lead with 6:20 on the clock. Pitt increased its advantage to 14 points, 38-24, with 4:30 left, and took a 43-31 lead into intermission.
Syracuse returns to the Carrier Dome on Monday, Feb. 3, to face BIG EAST rival Georgetown at 7:00 p.m.
