Syracuse University
East Tennessee State
Orange Offense Erupts in Resounding 125-75 Win Against ETSU
12/15/2007 9:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – For the second time in as many outings, the Orange scored six players in double figures and shot a program-record 75.8 percent from the field en route to a resounding 125-75 win against East Tennessee State in front of 16,508 fans at the Carrier Dome on Saturday night. Freshman forward Donte' Greene matched a career best with a game-high 25 points while grabbing eight rebounds.
Syracuse's blistering 75.8 percent scoring clip surpasses the previous mark of 73.3 percent, set against Utica on February 9, 1983. The Orange 50-point triumph is the largest point differential since SU bested Siena, 123-72, during the 1987-88 campaign.
Aiding the Syracuse cause was a stifling 15-for-25 long-range shooting display. The 15 3-point field goals matches a program record and breaks the Syracuse Carrier Dome standard (14), established twice against Davidson (12/18/05) and Notre Dame (1/16/00). The Orange last connected on 15 triples at West Virginia on January 16, 1997.
Junior center Arinze Onuaku shot a perfect nine-for-nine from the field en route to 19 points, while grabbing five rebounds. Onuaku's flawless scoring performance comes on the heels of a six-for-six shooting display against Rhode Island on December 8.
Onuaku's three thunderous dunks in the early minutes of the contest highlighted an Orange 16-0 run to open the game. The Buccaneers went scoreless for more than three and a half minutes. Syracuse cruised to a 68-39 advantage at the intermission and never again peered in the rear-view mirror. The 68 points were two shy of the school record and the most in a first half by the Orange since hitting for 70 against C.W. Post in December 1989.
Junior sharpshooter Eric Devendorf collected 19 points on seven-for-nine shooting, including a blistering 5-for-7 shooting from long range. Devendorf scored 17 points and dished five assists in the first half, but left the game and did not return following a left-knee injury in the opening minutes of the second stanza.
Freshman point guard Jonny Flynn shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, and 3-for-3 from long-range en route to 14 points while distributing a team-high eight dimes. On two different occasions, Flynn earned a trip to the free throw line after converting difficult hoop-and-the-harm baskets in the lane.
Sophomore Paul Harris collected 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting and corralled nine rebounds.
Orange Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim, in his 32nd season at Syracuse, received a season-best 36 points from his reserves. Freshman forward Rick Jackson led the way in matching a career best with 13 points while grabbing a personal-record nine rebounds.
Freshman point guard Scoop Jardine recorded a career-high eight points and six assists. Sophomore guard Mike Williams, making his Orange debut following an All-BIG EAST campaign at wide receiver for the Syracuse football team, chipped in with seven points.
Junior forward Kristof Ongenaet added a career-high six points and eight rebounds.
The Orange held an advantage in just about every category, pacing the Buccaneers in points in the paint (50-24) and fast-break points (24-16). Syracuse held a one-point advantage, 13-12, in second-chance baskets.
Junior guard Courtney Pigram led the ETSU offensive effort with 23 points while adding four assists. Reserve senior guard Travis Strong scored 19 points in the loss.
Syracuse (7-3) remains at the Carrier Dome and returns to action on Tuesday, December 18 against Colgate at 7:00 p.m. Orange fans can catch the men's basketball team against the Red Raiders on Time Warner 26.
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).
