Orange Handed First Loss of the Season

Tuesday, December 7

New York, NY

9:00 p.m.(ESPN)

Syracuse University

vs. Oklahoma State (Jimmy V. Classic)

Josh Pace

12/8/2004 1:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Senior Josh Pace had a season-high scoring output of 20 points, two off his career-high, but it was not enough as #5/5 Oklahoma State (6-0) handed #4/4 Syracuse (7-1) its first loss of the season, 74-60, in the Jimmy V Classic at New York's Madison Square Garden.

The Orange jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first two and a half minutes and held the advantage until the 14:12 mark when a three-pointer from JamesOn Curry put Oklahoma State ahead, 9-7. The Cowboys increased its margin to four, 17-13, but Syracuse regrouped to outscore Oklahoma State 9-4 over the final 5:25 of the opening half. Senior Hakim Warrick's jumper with 30 seconds left sent the Orange into the break ahead by one, 22-21.

Syracuse was able to silence Oklahoma State Wooden Award candidate John Lucas during the first half holding him 0-5 from the field. Oklahoma State was given a lift from its bench during the first stanza as 15 of the Cowboys 21 first half points came off the bench, including seven points from Curry.

Pace and sophomore Terrence Roberts came out and went to work for the Orange in the second half. In the first 11 minutes, Pace had 10 points and Roberts chipped in six of Syracuse's 19 points. SU was ahead 44-42 with 7:31 remaining when Oklahoma State took control of the game on a 20-5 run in just under seven minutes to take a 13-point lead. During that run, Lucas hit a three-pointer, his first basket of the night.

Junior Gerry McNamara got the Orange within six, 66-60, on three three-pointers in the closing 1:23, but Syracuse would not get any closer. Oklahoma State ended the game with its largest lead of the night, 74-60.

Pace finished the game with 20 points and four rebounds. He went 10-for-16 from the field to tie his career-high.

In addition to Pace's numbers, McNamara had 18 points, four rebounds and three assists. Player of the Year candidate Warrick recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Roberts had eight points and four rebounds before fouling out.

Joey Graham, Ivan McFarlin and Stephen Graham all chipped in 16 points for the Cowboys. McFarlin also had 12 rebounds as Oklahoma State finished with a 46-33 advantage on the boards. Lucas finished the contest 2-for-11 from the field with five points.

#11 Pittsburgh beat Memphis, 70-51, in the early game tonight at Madison Square Garden.

SU returns to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, December 11 when it faces Binghamton. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.