McNamara's 29 Points Lifts Orange Past Siena, 78-56

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. – Syracuse standout Gerry McNamara had a season-high scoring output of 29 points and National Player of the Year candidate Hakim Warrick recorded his third double-double of the season with 13 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, to lead the #4/5 Orange (5-0) past the Siena Saints (0-5), in front of a 14,743 at Pepsi Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Orange started quickly with the game's first eight points. SU's five starters evenly split the club's initial five baskets and by the 14:44 mark, the Orange margin was 18-2. McNamara had eight of his team's first 18 points and his three-pointer at 14:47 represented the 200th of his SU career.

Siena narrowed the margin to nine on three different ocassions, and were within 11 at 31-20 when SU utilized an 11-4 run to extend the advantage to 20 points. By the intermission, McNamara had 18 points and the Orange led, 46-31.

Siena closed to 49-37 with 15:56 left in the contest on two free throws by David Ryan but in the subsequent four and a half minutes SU outscored the Saints 13-3, thanks in part to two more threes from McNamara and five points from Warrick. The final score of 78-56 equaled Syracuse's largest margin of the contest.

McNamara's 29 points included six from behind the arc and a five-for-five effort from the foul line. He had a team-best, and season-high three steals and added three assists. Warrick had a team-best five assists to go along with his 13 points and 15 rebounds. Pace tied his season-high with 13 points, including a three-for-four effort from the foul line. Craig Forth, playing in what was a homecoming of sorts for the East Greenbush, N.Y. native, finished with a season-high eight boards and seven points.

Syracuse converted 26-55 (.473) from the field and 20-28 (.714) from the free-throw line. SU also held the rebound edge, 54-29, a season-high for the Orange.

SU begins a two-game home stand with dates against St. Bonaventure on December 1 and Colgate December 4. Both games are 7:00 p.m. starts in the Carrier Dome.