Arinze Onuaku had 12 points and six boards in his first game since 2005-06.
Bright Lights, Big City: NIT Tip-Off Semifinal Berth Up For Grabs Tonight
11/13/2007 8:53:29 AM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The 25th-ranked Orange (1-0) will meet Saint Joseph’s (1-0) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Carrier Dome for the right to head to New York City in late November for the semifinals of the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Tip-Off. Both squads won their season openers Monday. Syracuse defeated Siena, 97-89, while the Hawks bested Fairleigh Dickinson, 86-66, in the tournament’s opening round. Siena and Fairleigh Dickinson will square off in tonight’s consolation game at approximately 9:30 p.m.
For the Orange, Monday’s victory was a coming out party for rookie point guard Jonny Flynn (Niagara Falls, N.Y.). Flynn scored a game-high 28 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including six 3-pointers. It was the most points ever by an SU freshman in their collegiate debut, besting the 27-point showing by Carmelo Anthony against Memphis in his first Orange contest. Flynn also had nine assists.
All five starters scored in double figures for Syracuse and the Orange shot 58.6 percent from the field against the Saints (34-of-58). Freshman Donte’ Greene (Baltimore, Md.) and sophomore Paul Harris (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) each finished with 14 points. Harris also had 15 rebounds to earn his first double-double of the year. Center Arinze Onuaku (Lanham, Md.) chipped in 12 points and junior Eric Devendorf (Bay City, Mich.) had 19. All five played at least 33 minutes.
Head coach Phil Martelli’s Hawks got 20 points from Pat Calathes and 19 from Ahmad Nivins to cruise to a 20-point win against the Knights in Monday’s second game. Nivins also pulled down nine rebounds. Tasheed Carr collected a game-high 12 assists as Saint Joseph’s recorded 23 assists as a team on 33 baskets.
Tonight’s contest features two of the most dynamic coaching personalities in college basketball. On one sideline is Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim and on the other is Hawks’ mentor Phil Martelli. Boeheim earned his 751st victory Monday to begin his 32nd year at the helm of his alma mater. Martelli has been selected as the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year five times and was the National Coach of the Year in 2004 after leading his team to the Elite Eight.
The Hawks hold a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series, but Syracuse has won the last two encounters, including an 82-60 triumph in the most recent meeting in 1999.
Tuesday’s game will be televised live on ESPN.
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).
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