.png)
Syracuse University
#1/1 Connecticut
Orange Loses 73-50 Decision to Nation's Top-Ranked Team
2/8/2006 10:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HARTFORD, CONN. -- Rudy Gay scored 22 points and had 13 rebounds to lead No. 1-ranked Connecticut (21-1, 8-1 BIG EAST) to a 73-50 victory against Syracuse at the Hartford Civic Center. Hilton Armstrong added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Josh Boone chipped in with 10 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
Syracuse (16-7, 4-5 BIG EAST) led 6-1 early in the game. Junior center Darryl Watkins scored SU's first four points. He ended up with a team-high 12 points, had nine rebounds and four blocks. The four blocked shots moved him into a tie for 10th place on SU's all-time blocks list (122) with Otis Hill.
Boone tallied six points to help the Huskies tie it up at 9-9. Following a Josh Wright, high-off-the-glass shot to tie the score at 11-11, the Orange failed to score again until the 6:15 mark. During that five-minute span, Connecticut went on a 25-5 run to take a 15-point lead (26-11). By halftime, the Huskies led 37-19.
SU never got closer than 13 points. Freshman guard Andy Rautins' 3-pointer with 9:22 to play pulled the Orange within 57-44.
In addition to Watkins' 6-of-11 shooting night, junior forward Terrence Roberts finished with 10 points, seven boards and four steals.
The 'Cuse will play at St. John's on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. on ESPN Regional.
