McNamara and Pace Lead Orange to Victory Against Rice, 88-72

Wednesday, December 22

Syracuse, NY

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Rice

Gerry McNamara

McNamara and Pace Lead Orange to Victory Against Rice, 88-72

12/22/2004 9:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior Gerry McNamara had 19 points, 10 assists and a career-high nine rebounds and senior Josh Pace equaled his career-high with 22 points to lead the #7/8 Syracuse Orange (11-1) past Rice (5-3), 88-72, on Wednesday night in the Carrier Dome.

For the second game in a row, Syracuse pulled away in the second half, hitting 19-of-28 shots from the field after the intermission. With SU holding a 44-39 advantage with 17:35 remaining in the second stanza, the Orange used an 18-10 run during the next 6:16 to extend its advantage. McNamara and senior Craig Forth each had seven points during the stretch.

The game was neck-and-neck during the opening seven minutes before Rice went on a 9-1 run, which included six points by Michael Harris, for Rice's largest lead of the game, 21-15. McNamara had the hot hand in the final five minutes of the first half, leading the Orange on a 13-8 stretch, in which he contributed nine points. During the first half, the game saw five lead changes and nine ties, and ended with SU ahead by five, 39-34, at the break.

Senior Hakim Warrick finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Forth had a season-high 14 points for the Orange, including three dunks.

Michael Harris had a game-high 25 points and eight rebounds for Rice, while Jason McKrieth, who grew up in Schenectady, had 16 points and six assists. Brock Gillespie scored 15 points for the Owls.

The Orange next plays Albany on Tuesday, December 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.