Syracuse Withstands Late Villanova Rally; Wins 64-59

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The #arv/arv Syracuse men's basketball team (18-6, 8-5) staved off a late Villanova (14-12, 6-7) comeback to hold on for a 64-59 win at the Carrier Dome on Monday, Feb. 23.

With the Orange leading 58-49 and 1:54 left on clock, the Wildcats scored five straight points to make the score 58-54 at the 1:21 mark. After two free throws by sophomore #Gerry McNamara#, Villanova's Derek Snowden sank a three with 49 seconds remaining to narrow the margin to 60-57. Syracuse made 4-of-6 from the charity stripe in the final 45 seconds, while holding to Villanova to one basket, to earn the five-point triumph.

Syracuse led for most of the game, but the Wildcats took a 49-48 edge at the 4:51 mark of the second half. The Orangemen responded with a 10-0 run to take control of the contest before the Wildcats made their move. SU's scoring stretch was punctuated by freshman #Louie McCroskey# who buried a three. McCroskey finished with 10 points, tying his career-best.

Three other Orangemen joined him in double figures. McNamara and junior #Hakim Warrick# each tallied 18 points with the majority of them coming from the foul line. McNamara, the BIG EAST's leader in free-throw percentage was a career-best 11-for-12 from the charity stripe and Warrick connected on 10-of-12 free throws. Warrick also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Junior #Josh Pace# stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Syracuse built a seven-point lead early in the game when McNamara nailed a jumper to put the Orange ahead,15-8,with 11:59 left in the first period. A layup by Villanova's Curtis Sumpter got the Wildcats within four, 19-15, at the 5:38 mark of the opening half and Syracuse led at the break, 27-23.

The Wildcats took the lead, 29-28, at the 18:40 mark of the second half on a trey by Randy Foye, but Syracuse reeled off a 10-2 run to regain the advantage, 38-31 at 13:38. Warrick scored six points during that span, including two dunks.

Curtis Sumpter paced the Wildcats with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jason Fraser and Allan Ray each contributed 10 points each.

The Orangemen held the edge in free-throw shooting, hitting 24-of-32 (.750). Villanova made 14-of-22 foul shots (.636).

Villanova outrebounded Syracuse 36-33.

The Orange defense forced 22 Villanova turnovers and scored 28 points off Wildcat miscues.

Syracuse will play at #3/3 Pittsburgh on Sunday, Feb. 29 at 4:00 p.m. The game will televised live by CBS. Verne Lundquist and Billy Packer will call the action.