Orange Never Trails in 69-56 Victory Against UTEP

Wednesday, January 4

Carrier Dome

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Texas El Paso

Freshman Eric Devendorf connected on four-of-five three pointers in the first half against the Miners.

Orange Never Trails in 69-56 Victory Against UTEP

1/4/2006 9:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score
SU Player Quotes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Freshman guard Eric Devendorf drained four-of-five three pointers in the first half and finished with a team-high 16 points to help lead the Syracuse men's basketball team to a 69-56 win against Texas El Paso (7-5) at the Carrier Dome. It was the Orange's ninth-straight victory. The team improved its season record to 12-2.

SU found itself tied with UTEP twice during the game, but never completely relinquished its lead. The Miners came back from three different 10-point deficits in the first half to knot the score up at 28-28 with 4:36 remaining. Miguel Ayala recorded 11 of his game-high 19 points to bring his team even with the Orange.

By halftime, Syracuse was clinging to a 35-34 advantage. Devendorf led all scorers at intermission with 12 points (4-of-7 from the field).

The rookie was able to increase SU's lead to seven points (43-36) by the 15:47 mark of the second half with a strong drive through the heart of the Miner defense. Less than three minutes later, UTEP tied the score, this time at 44-44, thanks to two three-point field goals by Ayala and a layup by Brent Murphy.

The Orange quickly responded with one of its patented runs at Jim Boeheim Court. Junior forward Demetris Nichols got his defender up in the air with a shot fake and took one dribble to his right before hitting an open jump shot with 12:57 remaining. Less than one minute later, junior Terrence Roberts dunked the ball from underneath the basket. Senior Gerry McNamara gave SU a 50-44 lead with a shot in the lane right before the media timeout with 11:20 remaining. Those three-straight baskets, followed by two impressive plays on the offensive glass by freshman center Arinze Onuaku, allowed the Orange to distance itself from the Miners for good. UTEP never got closer than five points during the game's final nine minutes.

McNamara registered 14 points and nine assists. He is now two assists shy of tying Eddie Moss for fifth place on the school's career assists chart. McNamara is currently in sixth place with 537 career helpers.

Nichols remained the only SU player to reach double-figure scoring in all 14 games this season. He had 11 points against the Miners, along with seven rebounds. Roberts was Syracuse's top rebounder with nine. He also chipped in with nine points. Onuaku contributed seven rebounds.

Coach Jim Boeheim was credited with his 715^th career win. His Orange now begin BIG EAST Conference play on Sunday, Jan. 8, at home against South Florida at 1 p.m.