Syracuse University
Rutgers
Flynn, Greene Power Orange to 81-59 BIG EAST Win Against Rutgers
1/16/2008 9:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – First-year phenoms Jonny Flynn and Donte' Greene powered Syracuse to a resounding 81-59 victory against BIG EAST foe Rutgers in front of 20,437 fans at the Carrier Dome on Wednesday night. The Orange snapped a two-game skid with its sixth-straight win against the Scarlet Knights.
Flynn and Greene entered Wednesday's BIG EAST contest ranked third nationally among all rookie scoring combos, averaging 32.8 points an outing. Against Rutgers, Flynn tallied a game-best 24 points, while Greene collected 19. For Flynn, it was his highest scoring outburst since tallying 28 in the season opener on November 12 against Siena.
The Orange jumped out to a 10-2 advantage in the opening minutes behind an 8-0 run ignited by Greene and capped by Flynn. Greene stroked a silky-smooth 15-foot fade-away jumper before Flynn dropped in a pair of lay-ins.
The resilient Scarlet Knights narrowed the Orange lead to one at 10-9 before an explosive SU offense finished the first frame on a 28-13 run. Behind Flynn's 6-for-8 shooting display, Syracuse shot a blistering 58.6 percent from the floor en route to a 38-22 advantage at the intermission.
While Rutgers endured a six-minute scoreless drought in the first half, the Carrier Dome faithful enjoyed a plentiful dose of one of the nation's most dynamic rookie scoring duos. Greene ignited an Orange 10-0 run late in the first half with a leaner from just outside the lane.
Following a mid-range jump-shot from Flynn, Greene flushed home a two-hand slam off a nifty dish from freshman combo guard Scoop Jardine. Seconds later, sophomore forward Paul Harris found a streaking Flynn for a fast-break lay-in, forcing Rutgers head coach Fred Hill to burn a 30-second timeout.
Rutgers, now losers of five straight and seven of the last eight, struggled to find an answer for the Orange in the second half. Greene opened the second stanza with one of his two trifectas. The SU advantage quickly grew to 21 points after Harris converted an old-fashion three-point play off an offensive rebound.
The Syracuse cushion ballooned to a game-high 32 points after a Flynn lay-in at the 9:18 mark.
Harris showcased an impressive floor game after tallying 18 points, claiming eight rebounds and dealing five assists. The Orange owned a commanding 40-24 rebound edge while outscoring the Scarlet Knights to the tune of 42-30 in the paint.
Jardine, making his eighth consecutive start in the wake of Eric Devendorf's season-ending injury on December 15, collected six rebounds and dished seven helpers.
Onuaku and freshman center Rick Jackson staked an early claim and manned the paint, combining to shoot 7-for-8 from the field and totaling 18 points. Jackson corralled five boards and Onuaku added four.
Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim's trademark 2-3 zone stood effective for all 40 minutes on Wednesday, suffocating the Scarlet Knights into a 40.4 percent shooting performance overall. Rutgers connected on just 6-of-19 tries from long-range.
Freshman reserve guard Corey Chandler paced the Scarlet Knights' offense with a team-high 16 points. Junior forward J.R. Inman, averaging 14.8 points and nearly nine rebounds a game before Wednesday, scored just four points and grabbed only two boards.
Syracuse (13-5, 3-2) remains at the Carrier Dome and welcomes BIG EAST foe Villanova to the Salt City on Saturday, January 19 at 12:00 p.m. SU fans can catch the Orange and Wildcats on ESPN.
Tickets for the Villanova game 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).
