Orange Defeats Bryant in First Exhibition Game of Season, 92-86

Wednesday, November 1

Carrier Dome

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Bryant (exhibition)

Eric Devendorf hit six three pointers on his way to 30 points

Orange Defeats Bryant in First Exhibition Game of Season, 92-86

11/1/2006 9:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Coach Boeheim Quotes

Syracuse Player Quotes

Syracuse, N.Y.- Sophomore guard Eric Devendorf scored 30 points to lead the Orange to a 92-86 victory against Division II Bryant in the first exhibition game for Syracuse at the Carrier Dome on November 1. Despite fouling out with over five minutes left in the game, Devendorf made six three-point field goals and scored 15 points in each half. He also added four steals and three assists.

Bryant scored the game's first basket on a jumper by guard Chris Burns, but the Orange came back with a 7-0 run. Senior forward Terrence Roberts made a layup for the Orange's first points of the game. Devendorf hit a three pointer on a fast break and Roberts made another layup to increase the Orange's lead to five.

Sophomore guard Andy Rautins sparked an 11-2 spurt for the Orange with a three pointer off a pass from Devendorf. Freshman guard Paul Harris got into the action midway through the first half with a steal at midcourt. Harris streaked down the middle of the court and was fouled from behind on a layup. Harris converted the layup and the free throw to complete the three-point play.

Devendorf hit a three pointer with 4:50 left in the half to give Syracuse a 15 point lead, its biggest of the half. After that, the Bulldogs outscored the Orange 11-7 to cut the Orange lead to 11 points. Roberts added an emphatic dunk off an alley-oop pass from junior guard Josh Wright just before the intermission.

The Orange played strong on the defensive end of the court in the first half, blocking 11 shots, including seven by senior forward Matt Gorman. Syracuse shot 42 percent from the field and made six three pointers, four by Devendorf. Both teams showed the effects of November basketball, turning the ball over a combined 29 times. The Orange scored 18 points off turnovers and had 11 second chance points.

The Orange came out hot in the second half, led by Devendorf who nailed his fifth three pointer of the game 23 seconds into the frame. Senior forward Demitris Nichols threw down a fastbreak dunk and the Orange lead extended to 16. Bryant scored eight-consecutive points to cut the deficit to eight points, but Devendorf canned another three to give him 21 points ad the Orange another double digit lead.

The Orange used solid free throw shooting to extend its lead. Syracuse converted eight free throws during a 12-0 run as its advantage swelled to 20 points. The Bulldogs answered with a 16-2 run of their own to cut the Syracuse lead to six points. Burns connected on two three pointers during the stretch and forward Jerrann Wright scored eight-straight points for Bryant.

Bryant hung tough the rest of the game, but was unable to pull any closer. Harris came up with the play of the half when he blocked a three point attempt, came up with the loose ball, and broke down the court for a one-handed dunk.

Roberts scored 16 points and pulled down a game-high 14 boards. Nichols was the other Oranger player in double figures. He poured in 21 points, including 17 in the second half, and added five rebounds and three steals. Gorman ended the game with nine blocks and six rebounds for the Orange.

Burns scored a game-high 33 points for Bryant, including six three pointers. Guard Ryan McLean scored 18 points and had a team-high 12 rebounds. The Bulldogs turned the ball over 23 times, which led to 32 Syracuse points.

The Orange hosts Cal State-Los Angeles in its final exhibition game at the Carrier Dome on Sunday at 2 p.m. Cal State-Los Angeles is coached by former Orange standout Stephen Thompson.