Devendorf Nets Career-High 34 to Lead Syracuse Past South Alabama In NIT First Round

Wednesday, March 14

Carrier Dome

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

NIT vs. South Alabama

Eric Devendorf eclipsed 30 points for the second time in the last four games.

Devendorf Nets Career-High 34 to Lead Syracuse Past South Alabama In NIT First Round

3/14/2007 9:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Coach Boeheim Quotes
Syracuse Player Quotes

Syracuse, N.Y.- Second-seeded Syracuse (23-10) used a big run late in the second half to beat seventh-seed South Alabama (20-12), 79-73, in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Syracuse outscored South Alabama 27-14 in the last 11 minutes of the game to turn a seven-point deficit into a six-point victory. The game drew 16,832 fans. Tickets for the Orange's second round game against San Diego State on March 19 are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office or online (click here).

"I want to thank our fans," said head caoch Jim Boeheim. "There is no question in my mind that they lifted us up. It wasn't because we weren't ready to play or we weren't thinking about playing. South Alabama just played tremendous. Tonight they (the fans) were spectacular. That was the story of the game that so many people came. I think they came because we finished the season strong and they appreciated the way we played. We didn't have any clue how many people would come when this (NIT home game) was announced. It was easy to think, 'Well, the students have gone home. How many people are going to come?' Our fans proved again how loyal they are."

"We were just thrilled," said director of athletics Dr. Daryl Gross said. "We all had chills with these fans. It was unbelievable. The community felt empathy for the team. I mean, everybody knows we should be in the NCAA Tournament."

Eric Devendorf led the Orange with a career-high 34 points, one more than his previous career-best that he scored against Villanova in the last game of the regular season. Devendorf also had a team-high six assists. Demetris Nichols had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Orange. Darryl Watkins turned in his ninth double-digit rebounding effort, pulling down 11 boards to go along with three blocks. Andy Rautins was the other Orange in double-figures, scoring 10 points.

The first half was a battle of runs as the momentum swung back and forth from one team to the other. Just as he did against Notre Dame in the BIG EAST Tournament, Rautins started the Orange off with a three-pointer on his second shot attempt. South Alabama took its first lead with a three-pointer and a fastbreak layup on consecutive possessions. Devendorf hit a layup in traffic and a three-pointer from the top of the key to spur a 7-2 run that put the Orange ahead, 10-7, at the 15:30 mark.

The Jaguars made a trio of three-pointers during a 15-0 to take a double-digit lead, 22-10. Syracuse hit a cold spell from the field, going more than five minutes between baskets. Matt Gorman hit a hook shot in the lane to snap the Syracuse drought and start a 14-1 Syracuse run. Syracuse held South Alabama without a field goal for more than six minutes and led, 24-23, with seven minutes left in the opening half.

South Alabama quickly regained the lead with two free throws and stretched it out to six points, 30-24. The Orange made the final run of the period, outscoring the Jaguars 14-6 in the last five minutes to claim a two-point edge as the final seconds ticked away. Demetric Bennett came down with a rebound off a missed jumper, brought the ball downcourt and banked in a three-pointer from 35 feet at the buzzer and South Alabama led at halftime, 39-38.

Devendorf kept fueling the Orange offense, scoring the first five points of the second half. After Nichols hit a jumper to tie the game at 47, South Alabama went on a 12-3 run to take the lead once again, 59-50.

Syracuse stormed back into the game with an 22-1 run over a span of eight minutes to take the lead for good, 72-60. Terrence Roberts tied the game at 59 with a fastbreak dunk off an alley-oop pass from Devendorf and Nichols put the Orange on top with a three from the top of the key. Nichols had eight points during the run. South Alabama went 7:18 without a bucket, missing 13-consecutive shtos from the field, and committed five turnovers.

The Jaguars made three three-pointers in the final two minutes and managed to cut the deficit to four points. Syracuse excelled from the free throw line, getting its last seven points on free throws, to hold onto the game.

Bennett paced the Jaguars with 23 points, including seven three-pointers. Ernest Little set a Carrier Dome opponent record with 18 rebounds, surpassing Patrick Ewing (Georgetown) and Adonal Foyle (Colgate), who each had 17 boards in one game. Little was South Alabama's second-leading scorer with 17 points.