Fantastic Flynn Electrifies Orange’s 97-89 Season-Opening Win Against Siena

Monday, November 12

Carrier Dome

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

NIT Tipoff vs. Siena

Freshman phenom Jonny Flynn set a Syracuse record for a rookie in his debut with a game-high 28 points against Siena on Monday.

Fantastic Flynn Electrifies Orange’s 97-89 Season-Opening Win Against Siena

11/12/2007 9:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

SYRACUSE N.Y. – Freshman point guard Jonny Flynn shot 10-for-13 from the floor, including a blistering 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, en route to a game-high 28 points in the Orange's 97-89 victory against Siena in the opening round of the Preseason NIT at the Carrier Dome on Monday night. Flynn's 28-point scoring explosion set a Syracuse record by a rookie in his Orange debut, eclipsing former SU great Carmelo Anthony's 27-point effort against Memphis in 2002.

Flynn brought the crowd of 17,746 on-hand inside the Loud House to its feet with three consecutive second-half trifectas, handing the Orange a 78-69 advantage with just under nine minutes remaining. The 6-0 guard's veteran-like court savvy engineered the Syracuse attack to a 59 percent shooting clip with a team-best nine assists.

The Niagara Falls, N.Y., native paired an outside shooting arsenal with several tough baskets in traffic. On two separate second-half sequences, Flynn found himself among the trees before depositing an off-balance left-handed runner. Moments later, Flynn found himself in rhythm for one of his six trifectas.

The second-half Syracuse lead grew to as much as 12 points, at 86-74, after two free throws from freshman forward Donte' Greene. Greene finished with 16 points, seven boards and a team-best five blocks.

A resilient Siena attack, led by junior Kenny Hasbrouck's team-high 24 points, cut the advantage to four points before the Orange iced the win from the charity stripe in the waning seconds.

Sophomore workhorse Paul Harris tallied his eighth-career double-double with 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Harris' 15 rebounds matches a career-high, set last season against Notre Dame in the BIG EAST Tournament. The Orange controlled the glass from the first whistle, out-rebounding the Saints to the tune of 44-27.

Veteran guard Eric Devendorf scored 19 points, igniting the Orange offense to a 53-39 lead at the intermission with a game-high 16. Devendorf shot 6-for-12 from the floor, including 3-for-7 from long distance.

Junior center Arinze Onuaku collected a career-high 12 points and added six rebounds. Freshman big man Rick Jackson continued his stellar play from the exhibition season with eight points, on 4-for-5 shooting, and grabbed three caroms in a reserve role.

The Carrier Dome will play host to Tuesday night's nationally-televised clash between the Orange and Saint Joseph's at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN. The Hawks posted a 86-66 victory against Fairleigh Dickinson in the nightcap.

Tickets for Orange home games may be purchased on-line (click here), over the phone (1-888-DOMETIX), or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office during normal business hours. Once again, fans will be able to receive their tickets immediately after their purchase, using the "Print At Home" delivery method. For additional information, fans can contact the Carrier Dome Box Office toll free (888-366-3849) or (315-443-2121).