Massachusetts Outlasts Syracuse, 107-100

Wednesday, November 28

Carrier Dome

7:15 p.m.

Syracuse University

107

100

Massachusetts

Junior Eric Devendorf led five scorers for the Orange in double figures with 23 points against Massachusetts.

11/28/2007 9:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Scor e

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior shooting guard Eric Devendorf scored a team-high 23 points, but a second-half rally earned Massachusetts a 107-100 win Wednesday night in front of 20,644 fans at the Carrier Dome. Freshman point guard Jonny Flynn and junior center Arinze Onuaku collected their first-career double-doubles in the loss.

Devendorf's 8-for-14 shooting performance led five scorers for the Orange in double figures. Onuaku tallied 20 points, including 16 in the second half, and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds. Flynn collected 20 points and added a career-best 12 assists.

Sophomore forward Paul Harris recorded the 11^th double-double of his career, and his fourth this season, after totaling 13 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman forward Donte' Greene scored 20 points and corralled six boards, marking four Syracuse performers with at least 20 points.

Massachusetts' sophomore guard Ricky Harris' two free throws handed the visitors' a 96-95 lead with less than two and a half minutes remaining. The Minutemen would not relinquish the advantage after senior guard Gary Forbes connected on a deep three-pointer that extended the lead to six points at the 1:11 mark.

Harris led all scorers with 25 points, while Forbes tallied 23 and added seven assists and six rebounds. Senior forward Dante' Milligan scored 17 points and posted a team-high seven rebounds in a reserve role for the Minutemen.

With a 51-48 lead, the Orange emerged from the halftime intermission with an energy level unmatched by the Minutemen, racing to an 8-2 run and a 59-50 advantage. Flynn twice found open teammates for dunks, the second on an Orange odd-man rush to Greene for an electrifying one-handed flush that prompted Massachusetts head coach Travis Ford to burn a 30-second timeout.

A resilient Massachusetts team cut the Orange advantage to 76-73 after a Milligan lay-in with less than 11 minutes remaining. The Syracuse cushion would grow to five points momentarily before a Ricky Harris three gave the Minutemen its first lead, 88-87, since the first half. UMass shot 12-for-14 from the charity stripe in the final three minutes.

The Orange shot 56.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from long-range. Behind Onuaku's strong second-half showing, Syracuse outscored the Minutemen 52-40 in the paint. Flynn ignited the Orange to a 10-2 advantage on the fast break.

Syracuse (4-2) remains on the Loud House hardwood and will look to rebound against Tulane on Saturday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. Orange fans can catch the men's basketball team against the Green Wave on TimeWarner26.

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).