SU has its 13-Game Winning Streak Snapped

Saturday, January 29

Pittsburgh, PA

7:00 p.m. (ESPN)

Syracuse University

Pittsburgh

Gerry McNamara led the Orange with 26 points in SU's 76-69 loss to Pittsburgh.

1/29/2005 10:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, PA – #4/4 Syracuse (20-2, 7-1 BIG EAST) had its 13-game winning streak snapped as the Orange suffered a 76-69 loss to #20/18 Pittsburgh (14-3, 4-2 BIG EAST) in the Petersen Events Center on Saturday, January 29.

SU hadn't suffered a loss since December 7 against Oklahoma State. The defeat also broke SU's regular-season BIG EAST unbeaten streak at 12, dating back to February 21, 2004.

Gerry McNamara (www.suathletics.com/Gerry) led the Orange with 26 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Hakim Warrick (www.suathletics.com/Hakim) finished with 25 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Syracuse got out to an early 22-5 lead during the first nine and a half minutes, holding Pittsburgh to only one basket from the field, a three-pointer from Levon Kendall. McNamara had 10 points and Warrick had six points during the run. The 17-point advantage was the largest for the Orange had during the contest.

With the score 25-12, Pittsburgh cut into the Orange lead as the Panthers went on a 15-6 run, which included three three-pointers, to cut the Orange's advantage to four, 31-27, with 2:26 remaining in the half. Syracuse had a five-point advantage at the half, 34-29. McNamara had 14 points, while Warrick chipped in 11 points for the Orange at the end of the first stanza.

Pittsburgh tied the game, 38-38, at the 15:43 mark in the second half on three three-pointers, two by Carl Krauser. The Orange answered back with six-straight points, before the Panthers had an 18-2 run to give Pittsburgh its first lead of the game, 56-46.

Pittsburgh took its largest advantage of the contest at the 2:22 mark, 67-52, before McNamara brought the Orange within eight, 67-59, with 1:25 remaining. Syracuse came within six, 73-67, with 33.2 seconds remaining, but Pittsburgh hit 3-of-4 free throws in the last 30 seconds to get the win.

Krauser led Pittsburgh with 19 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Chevon Troutman contributed 18 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. It was Pittsburgh's second-consecutive comeback from a 17-point deficit.

Syracuse returns home to the Carrier Dome when it takes on Notre Dame on Saturday, February 5 at 9:00 p.m.